Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but one generous competition winner would rather use the sparkling gem to help a local charity.

Leeds resident Laura Rogers won a Fancy Yellow diamond in a competition organised by city centre jeweller Christopher Wharton as part of the inaugural St Albans Fashion Week.

But rather than collect her prize, she kindly offered to pass on the cash value to the jeweller’s favourite charity - the Willow Foundation, which provides special days for seriously ill 16-40 year olds - and store director Sam Wharton made a donation of £300 to the foundation’s community fundraiser Sarah-Jane Thompson last week.

Sam said: “We are extremely grateful to Laura for donating her ‘Christmas present for myself’ and we’re sure her donation will go a long way to giving someone else a special day.”