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Now 76, she works in a local boutique, where her fashion sense and distinctive appearance – edgy haircut paired with Doc Martens – have made her something of a local celebrity.

Mrs Woods was featured last year on Fabulous Fashionistas, a Channel 4 documentary about women who have refused to conform to the notion that women should fade into the background once they reach pensionable age.

The artist who painted Mrs Woods, Richard Twose, approached her after watching the programme.

"Sometimes, as Jean was talking, especially about her much-missed late husband, she reminded me of Rembrandt's Portrait of Margaretha de Geer. Jean has a similar intensity and honesty in her gaze," he said.

"I wanted to capture that sense of someone who has learnt to be almost fearless, looking forward to life still but with a great richness of experience behind her."

Mrs Woods, grandmother to four teenagers, said it was "marvellous" that the portrait had been shortlisted.

"We had a little drinkypoo last night to celebrate," she said. "Richard approached me about sitting for him and I said I'd be happy to do that. Even if he doesn't win, people know his work now and I'm thrilled about that because he's a lovely guy.

_{Jean Woods (left) appeared in Channel 4's Fabulous Fashionistas documentary}

Mrs Woods buys clothes and make-up in Top Shop and Urban Outfitters, stores more associated with teenage girls and 20-somethings.

She urged others to follow her lead. "People get into a rut, don't they? I've always been interested in fashion but working in a shop has been good for me because everyone else is under 45 so I'm mixing with younger people.

"After I appeared on the programme, I had lots of people write letters to me – some lovely, some sad.

"To the sad ones I said, 'Look, nobody's going to come to you – you have got to get out there. Just get out a bit more and talk to people."

Mrs Woods said she has been taken aback by reaction to the programme. "Everyone knows me now," she said of life in Bath. "I've never kissed and cuddled so many strangers in my life."

The other contenders for the BP Portrait Award are German artist Thomas Ganter, who painted a homeless man he encountered following a visit to a museum; and American artist David Jon Kassan's portrait of his mother.

^{'Letter to my Mom' by David Jon Kassan}

The portraits will go on display to the public at the National Portrait Gallery from June 26 to September 21.

The winner, announced on June 24, will receive a commission to paint a portrait for the gallery's permanent collection.