A Longfield teen is celebrating her success in reaching the semi-finals of a national beauty pageant.

Jamie-Ann Filkins, of The Maples, hopes that by winning Miss Teen Great Britain 2015/16, she can highlight wider social issues, like bullying in schools, to the fore.

The 16-year-old explained that she dropped out of school because of bullies and finished her secondary education from home.

Speaking to News Shopper Miss Filkins said: “I had a lot of bullying at school.

“It was rubbish.

“If I win I want to set up my own community for family carers to meet and know they’re not alone as well as highlighting bullying and promoting it more.”

The hopeful beauty queen has support from sister Skye, 7, and her two brothers, Aiden, 22 and Domonic, 9.

Dominic suffers with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and autism.

Miss Filkins spends a lot at home helping with chores and helping her mum with Dominic.

Muscular dystrophy is a hereditary condition marked by progressive weakening and wasting of the muscles - there is no known cure.

News Shopper:
Jamie-Ann wants to highlight big issues for teens is she was crowned champion ​(c.) Jamie-Ann Filkins

In spite of such family struggle she is set for college in September to pursue a career as a legal secretary and hopefully one day join the police force.

Her deep passion for crime, and solving it, is a huge driving factor for Miss Filkins who has tried her hand in modelling too and has entered the “world teen supermodel” category as well. On the beauty pageant itself the young Sherlock Holmes said: “I am so excited to have made it to the semi final, it is a great achievement.

“Making it to the grand final would be a dream come true.

“Fingers crossed I will be able to represent my hometown and win the crown.”

The winner of Miss Teen Great Britain will walk away with some incredible prizes including £500 cash.

The final will be held in October at the The Globe in Blackpool.

To find out more about Miss Filkin's beauty campaign and to show your support click here