THE mother of young RAF recruit Jodie Millward – a former Miss Evesham and Miss Pershore and a Miss England semi-finalist – has spoken of her pride and fear at seeing her daughter fly out to Afghanistan.

Theresa Millward, herself a former beauty queen, said Jodie had chosen to join the forces over a career in modelling because she felt it was her duty, and that she was a ‘little hero’ to the family.

Jodie, aged 20, flew out on Sunday and is expected to return in January or February next year. She will miss Christmas with her family but they have promised to celebrate it with her again when she returns.

Theresa, from Cropthorne, said: “Jodie flew out to Afghanistan on Remembrance Sunday. She was very excited, but nervous. She said it was a job she had to do.

“I have been through all this before, my ex-husband was in the forces and my son-in-law is in Afghanistan as well. I don’t watch the news though, you don’t get the real story and they say things that will only worry you.

“I’m nervous and think about it all the time. I’m a mum at the end of the day and they are so young.”

Jodie became the standard bearer for the Evesham Royal British Legion three years after joined the Pershore 233 Squadron Air Cadets aged 13. She was awarded the Commandant’s Commendation in June 2008, one of the highest accolades for cadets.

The former Evesham High School pupil completed her training at RAF Halton last year.

Theresa added: “Jodie is very brave, and her family is very proud of her. She had a photo shoot with UK models in London last week, but instead of becoming a model she chose to join the Air Force. She said she would rather be a forces sweetheart.”