'Combat Barbie' makes Miss England final

LONDON, July 12 (UPI) -- Miss England 2008 judges have voted a 21-year-old woman who earned the moniker "Combat Barbie" in the military, one of the pageant's finalists.

If Iraqi war veteran Katrina Hodge wins the national title it means the soldier would represent her country in the Miss World 2008 contest, The Daily Mail reported Saturday.

Hodge, who earned a 2005 bravery commendation for fighting off a suspected Iraqi insurgent who allegedly threatened her regiment, said she was honored to make the event's final round.

"I was delighted to have been selected for the Miss England final and it is a great honor," she said.

Hodge said the beauty contest is a far cry from the events that led to her nickname, "Combat Barbie," the Mail reported.

"Being a part-time model and a serving soldier is certainly a world apart," she said.

The Miss England finals will be Friday in London.