REIGNING Miss Hampshire Larissa Hirst is celebrating the success of a charity fete as she prepares for the biggest day of her life.

The Southampton Solent University graduate could be only 48 hours away from being crowned Miss England – just five months after landing her current title.

Larissa and 51 other finalists from across the UK will battle it out at the Miss England contest on Friday.

But the 25-year-old journalist from New Milton has an even more important date in her diary. Her boyfriend Ian Palmer is hoping to receive the all-clear next week after being treated for cancer.

The fete was held to raise money for Southampton General Hospital, which has helped him fight the disease.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the 27-year-old sales manager was diagnosed last year after discovering what he thought was a sports injury. He later underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

The fete raised more than £300 for the hospital and Beauty With A Purpose– the Miss World charity helping disadvantaged youngsters globally.

It was held at the Marchwood home of Larissa’s stepmother, Carol Hirst, who is also a cancer survivor, and took place the day after Larissa and her family had entertained child patients at the hospital by staging an art and craft day.

Larissa said: “It was a great two days of fundraising and I can’t thank our local community enough.

“Toys of New Milton donated so much craft materials for the children to play with.

“I’m also proud of all our volunteers who made the fete come together and I am really grateful to my dad and stepmum for letting me use their garden.”

Larissa and Ian also took part in this year’s Southampton half-marathon and raised more than £2,500 for the charities.

The Miss England finals take place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

To vote for Larissa should text “MISS ENGLAND29” to 63333. Texts cost 50p plus standard network rates.