Teen sails into Miss England final wearing the same dress her grandma was modelling in 1966

It was a stunning dress back in 1966. And in 2009, it's still a winner.

The silver frock first worn by Katy Baxter's granny has helped the teenager through to the finals of Miss England. Katy, 18, had to wear something 'recycled' for her semi-final against 57 other girls a fortnight ago.

She said: 'You could wear an old dress or make up something yourself from old crisp packets, as one girl did. 'My mother had just had Gran's old dress dry-cleaned two weeks earlier and she suggested that I tried it on. It fitted perfectly and I absolutely loved it.'

The lurex frock was worn by Margaret Sloman, now 76, while she was modelling at a motocross event in Kent.

Mrs Sloman, who lives in Exeter, bought the dress in either France or Italy during a summer holiday.

Her daughter - Katy's mother - Julia Baxter said: 'My mother is absolutely delighted that the dress has come to life after all these years.'

The Miss England final is taking place in London next month.

Meanwhile Katy, from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, is awaiting her exam results to see if she has the grades to study business management at Exeter University.

She also is holding a series of local fundraisers for the pageant's three nominated charities, B-eat, the National Autistic Society, and the Variety Club of Great Britain. Supporters can donate via www. giftshare.com/katybaxter.

The winner goes on to contest the Miss World crown in South Africa at the end of the year.