A STUDENT and beauty queen from Worcester was nominated for Sports Personality of the Year in recognition of her work in the community.

Isobel Lines, who is chair of the University of Worcester Equestrian Club and a Miss England finalist, was put in for the "Unsung Hero Award" at this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Miss Lines, 20, was nominated for her work raising money for the Riding for the Disabled Association, which helps more than 25,000 disabled children and adults with activities like horse riding and carriage driving.

She said: "It was such a pleasant surprise and honour to have been nominated.

READ MORE: Isobel 'over the moon' to reach Miss England final

"It is obviously disappointing not to have been able to attend in person (the annual event is usually held in front of a live audience of 10,000) but I was lucky enough to be part of the virtual audience.

"I have been utilising both my Miss England and Chairman of the Equestrian Club positions to raise funds and awareness for organisations which have been struggling during the pandemic."

An accomplished equestrian, Miss Lines has been riding horses since she was just four years old, including taking part in the Horse of the Year Show for eight successive years and the Royal International for a decade.

She is also due to take part in the Miss England 2021 final having been crowned Miss Black Country.

In September, Miss Lines was also rewarded with one of the Dudley CVS (Council for Voluntary Services) Covid Heroes Awards 2020, for all the work that she has carried out in the local community during the pandemic.

READ MORE: How Isobel Lines has helped charities across Worcestershire

The ‘Unsung Hero Award 2020’ was won posthumously by Sgt Matt Ratana who was nominated by East Grinstead Rugby Club where the 54-year-old was head coach.

The Met Police officer was tragically killed on duty in Croydon in September.

In 2019, Miss Lines made the headlines when she reached the final of Miss England having won the Publicity Queen award as well as finishing in the top five for Miss Birmingham, gaining a place in the Finals.

The RDA Malvern Group in Worcestershire works alongside local schools including Regency High School to provide riding lessons and equine therapy for pupils with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

For more information about RDA, go to https://www.rda.org.uk/