A LOCAL stunner has beaten off 15,000 others to make the north's top 100 in a national modelling competition.

Donna Fielding, 19, from Livesey Branch Road, Mill Hill, Blackburn, is mum to two-year-old Josh and thought her dreams of modelling professionally were over when she had a baby.

She said: "I didn't think, with being a young mum and having stretch marks, that I'd have a chance, and I'm short at only 5ft, with models expected to be a lot taller than that."

But now Divinity Models, a UK-based modelling agency has launched a competition open to girls over the age of 13 that doesn't discriminate against age, size, nationality or height.

Donna is through to the regional finals where 100 girls from northern England will compete to make it to the next level on September 30.

Donna said: "The fact that this competition doesn't discriminate is why I love it so much.

"It gives me the chance to promote the fact that having a child when you're young doesn't mean it's the end of your life."

She said she was lucky that her partner Dave Treanor was so supportive and added: "He's over the moon for me."

She came across the competition on publicity website starnow.com and filled in the application form straight away.

She said: "I sent in a snap of myself and literally within 30 seconds I had a phonecall off them, it was amazing."

Donna has long wanted to be a model, and two months ago hired an agent to help her get work.

She said: "I know it's a cliche, but I've wanted to model for as long as I can remember."

She has just appeared on a new BBC 1 quizshow, yet to be screened, called Identity' where people have to guess strangers occupations.

She said: "It was fantastic being on the show. The hospitality was brilliant and I got to meet Ted Robbins off Phoenix Nights and former Neighbours actress Lucinda Cowden who played Melanie Mangel.

"I got my picture taken with them, it was great."

If Donna gets through the next round of the Divinity Models competition to be held at the Copthorne Hotel in Manchester on September 30, she will be battling it out with the last 35 aspiring models at the London Mayfair on November 4.

She said: "I intend to be a very successful model and have girls look up to me knowing that you don't have to be perfect to suceed.

"I don't think it's right that girls idolise stupidly skinny girls and starve themselves to be the same.

"Some people are naturally thin, but people shouldn't strive to be like that."

The winner of the competition will be the spokesperson of Divinity Models, will be the covergirl for fashion magazine EM Magazine and will get guaranteed work.

The judging for the finals will be announced in August, determined by industry professionals from Fashion Capital, Every Model Magazine, and Divinity Models.

To help Donna reach the grand final in London, text NORTH 124 to 60777. Texts cost £1 plus standard network rate.