A GWENT woman could soon become France's 'First Lady'.

Penelope Fillon (nee Clarke) originally from Llanover near Abergavenny, is married to Francois Fillon, who is now favourite to be the centre-right's candidate for the French presidency.

Many are tipping Francois Fillon to beat rival candidate Alain Juppe to become the candidate for 'Les Republicains', the French equivalent of the Conservatives.

The socialist incumbent president Francois Hollande is currently very unpopular but the Republican choice will have to overcome the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen of the Front National. 

If he is victorious they would move into the palatial presidential Elysée Palace.

Mrs Fillon, 51, was born and raised in Llanover and went to Abergavenny's King Henry VIII grammar school, where she was said to be gifted linguist who excelled at French.

Mrs Fillon was the oldest of four girls - all of whom went to King Henry VIII school.

She also has a brother, believed to live in Newport. Her father was a well-known local figure who was a member of the Round Table and Rotary Club.