Miss Teen Ribble Valley in Miss Teen Great Britain final

Ilaria Smith, 16, is in the running to be named Miss Teen Great Britain and she says she has always dreamed of winning the title.

She wants to be a role model for young children.

The former Whalley C of E Primary School pupil said: “I’ve always dreamed of winning the title of Miss Teen Great Britain because it [will allow me] to become a positive role model for young girls throughout the country.

“I will also be able to share my platform with others and spread awareness.”

Ilaria said she has been using her social media platform to raise money for mental health charities, since being announced as a finalist earlier this year.

She has taken on the Yorkshire Three Peaks and also took part in a walking challenge, raising hundreds for charity.

The Clitheroe Royal Grammar School pupil said: “I was selected as a finalist earlier this year and have since been using my title to fundraise for my platform which supports young people with mental health struggles and charities such as YoungMinds.

“I walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks with my dad and managed to raise £360 for YoungMinds.

"I also took part in the 99,000 steps challenge for together for Together For Short and raised money for them too.”

Ilaria will be up against more than 60 other women in the battle for the Miss Teen Lancashire crown, including a young woman known only as Lily L, who has been named Miss Teen Accrington.

A Blackpool girl, known only as Lexie Kelly-Woolhouse, and a Lancaster girl named Grace, have also made it to the final stage of the competition, which is for those aged 16 to 19.

14-year-old Blackburn girl Arianna Sulimen is in the running to be named Miss Junior Teen Great Britain, which is for young people aged 13 to 15.

Isabella Johnstone, 12, is competing for the Little Miss Teen Great Britain crown, which is for people aged 10 to 12.

The finals of Miss Teen Great Britain will be held in October 2023 in Blackpool.