A FORMER model who suffered a ruptured breast implant has launched a fight for ‘justice’ for women affected by the PIP scandal.

Vanessa Halstead, 29, underwent surgery to boost her from a B/C Cup to a DD in 2004.

She believes the clinic which performed the operation could have done more to help her when she discovered one of the implants was faulty in October.

And now she has called for tighter regulation of breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery.

Miss Halstead, from Barrowford, said: “My right breast went really big, not quite the size of my head, but not far off.

“I went for a spray tan and thought it looked swollen. A few days later I went out for a run and as soon as I set off the pain was unbearable.

“There have been things I haven’t been able to do physically, even vacuuming and looking after my horses.

“I had been modelling underwear commercially and it did knock my confidence.

“It got to the point where I felt I looked a little abnormal and that people were noticing.

“It has been extremely traumatic and it is always in the back of my mind.”

The defunct French company PIP (Poly Implant Prostheses) filled its implants with industrial grade silicone, used in the manufacture of mattresses, rather than medical grade silicone.

The NHS said there was not enough evidence to warrant their routine removal, but it will remove them if necessary for health reasons.

The Justice For PIP Victims campaign wants the NHS to not only remove implants but to provide free replacements to prevent women suffering from depression and self-image problems.

Supported by a group of cosmetic surgeons, its website www.justice4pipvictims.co.uk includes an emergency helpline providing free independent advice and guidance.

Miss Halstead, who now runs a promotions business, will have her PIP implants replaced this week.

She said: “I was led to believe that my implants were covered for 10 years.

“But after the rupture was diagnosed at Burnley General Hospital I was told that the company that put them in had gone into administration and also my notes had been lost.

“I want to help all the women out there who are confused and stressed out and don’t know where to turn.

“When getting these implants in the first place they had time to save up but now they may be struggling to find that money again.

“They need to know what their options are and where they can go to be treated correctly by fully qualified and approved people.”