A teenager from Meopham is set to compete for the title of Miss Great Britain.

Lauri Knowler, aged 19, of David Street was first scouted to take part in the Miss England pageant at the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham two years ago.

She said: "At first I thought they were joking but they said they were interested in me for Miss England - I went along and got nowhere but when I read about Miss Great Britain it seemed a lot more suited to me so I entered."

Miss Knowler, who is currently studying politics at De Montford University in Leicster, spends holidays in Meopham with her dad, Barry Knowler and his partner, Heather Vousden.

The ambitious teenager originally didn't make it through to the Miss Great Britain final but persevered after finding herself 'too gutted' to miss out on the event.

She said: "When I didn't get through I was so gutted that I rag up to ask if there was any way I could get through into the next round and they said there was an online poll - I entered and was awarded the title of Miss South East Swindon.

"It is nerve wracking, I normally never shut up but when I went for the interview I was lost for words."

The local beauty added: "It's not something I ever imagined doing in a million years, I come from a drama background but have no links to drama clubs so for me it's a way of being on the stage."

The Miss Great Britain finals takes place over November 13 and 14 at the Athena in Leicster.