When Beth Hirst left her job working for a stockbroker to have a baby, she ended up switching careers – and became a milliner.

Now Beth, of Pudsey, is heading for the finishing post at Royal Ascot with one of her designs.

The former St Joseph’s College pupil will be turning heads when she models her ‘Butterfly Bow’ design, which has won her a place in the final six of a national contest.

Beth beat hundreds of entrants in the Who wants to be a Milli-naire? Competition, and next Wednesday she will display her design at Royal Ascot’s first National Hat Day. The winner will receive £1,000.

The shortlisted hats are being exhibited and are on sale at John Lewis on London’s Oxford Street.

“My hat is a collaboration with designer Rashmi Parmar, who customises trainers, clothing and graffiti art,” said Beth. “I joined Yorkshire Talent on Facebook and contacted Rashmi. We met and came up with the design.”

Beth started making hats three years ago. “I’ve always been interested in fashion and studied design at Bradford College, but I ended up working at a stockbrokers for 11 years,” she said.