Brighton's "girl on the bus" is coming out of retirement for a final crack at the world of beauty pageants. 

Lindsay Hills, who was named Miss Brighton back in 2004, was pictured on the side of Brighton and Hove buses for many years wearing a ballgown. 

Now, she has been selected as one of the finalists of Mrs UK World, and is hoping to represent the country at the international event in Bulgaria.

The competition – unlike regular beauty contests – caters for older married women.

Mrs Hills, formerly Miss Fergusson, said: “It’s strange coming back after so many years but I’m really enjoying it all and looking forward to the finals.

“Being Miss Brighton all those years ago opened up so many doors and I travelled the world as a result. But now I want to do something different.”

Top of her agenda is tackling perceived body image and the obsession with the so-called perfect figure flaunted by glossy magazines.

The 34-year-old, of Bedford Place, Brighton, added: “In particular I want to target teenage girls. The teenage years can be very difficult and girls can be vulnerable at that age.

“So many people aspire to these perfected images in magazines and on TV and it can be really damaging for self esteem and confidence.

“I want to give young girls the confidence to realise they are beautiful the way they are. We all have imperfections and that’s fine, imperfections are beautiful in themselves.”

She added: “I feel first time round I was perhaps a little insecure and under confident myself. I was forever comparing myself with the other girls, which was stupid looking back at it. I really want to get that message across.”

Mrs Hills, who has spent the last few years working as a model as well as an air stewardess with Virgin Atlantic, is perhaps best known for her affiliation with the city’s public transport.

Back in 2006, with Brighton and Hove Buses looking to get more people onboard, they recruited her as their poster-girl.

Alongside a 12ft photograph of herself in full ball gown, was the quote “the bus is the only way to get about town – I even do my makeup on the bus”.

She said: “I was known as the girl on the bus for the best part of ten years.

“It was quite unnerving really. I would be waiting at traffic lights and this huge version of me would pull up alongside the car. It was surreal.”

With just days to go until the national final Mrs Hills is now looking for sponsors to help her take the crown.

She added: “If anyone can help at all I would be incredibly grateful. I am looking for anything from dressmakers and hairdressers to make-up artists.”

Follow her progress on Twitter @Lindsay_LKF.