Plus-size model Tess Holliday has suffered more than her fair share of malice from moronic online trolls.

Although she admits finding the abuse hard to deal with, the size 26 American fashion star has learnt how to survive online.

More than just coping, she’s even found a way to turn the tables and get the haters to help her flourishing career.

Here the 32-year-old model, who has amassed 1.5 million Instagram followers, shares her five-step guide to combating trolls.

News Shopper:

1. Pity the trolls

"It's important to really consider the source. If people are being mean to you online, chances are they're miserable and it's a projection on them, it has nothing to do with you."

2. Remember that it happens to everyone

"One of my friends is literally one of the most stunning people on the planet and fits into what society considers beautiful. She has 100,000 followers on Instagram and she texted me [when she suffered online abuse] saying, 'I don't know how you do it'. It's amazing hearing it come from people who are deemed by society as beautiful, but they do have a hard time with it [too]. It further proves that we all deal with body image issues, and we all deal with online trolls if we're putting ourselves out there. It's a real issue."

3. Don't let comments impact your self-esteem

"It's important to remember that what they are saying has no bearing on who you are at all and you can't let it bother you."

4. Keep busy

"Me? I'm too busy, I have too much crap going on, I can't worry about what someone thinks about me or if they think I'm fat. I am fat, it's fine, [I think to myself], 'You have eyes, congratulations.'"

5. Don't block anyone

"Unless they're saying something that's completely homophobic, transphobic or racist, I'll just let them say it because it drives up my numbers. That's what I tell people, don't block them, let them stay because it gets more engagement. It's even harder to get out there because of the algorithms and how social media is changing things, so let these trolls help you. It sounds silly, but it works."

Tess adds: "I have to always find the positive. That's the only way I've survived, by trying to find the little nugget of hope in the worst possible situations."

News Shopper:

Her book The Not So Subtle Art Of Being A Fat Girl: Loving The Skin You're In is published by Blink Publishing, priced £12.99, and is available now.