A TEENAGER who has fought her way back to health after serious illness is in the running for a top fashion honour.

Last year Poppy Farnan had acute kidney failure and spent six weeks in hospital.

Among the effects of the illness were dramatic changes to her weight.

She went from eight stone to six stone and then – due to steroid treatment – soared up to 11 stone.

Now Poppy, 16, from Southsea near Wrexham, is back to eight stone and her parents said they were delighted.

Mum Nikki said: “It is really nice to see her back this year to a healthy and happy self although she still attends Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool regularly.”

Poppy has been selected as a semi-finalist for the online Miss Fresh Teen competition. She was scouted at the Clothes Show Live exhibition in Birmingham and invited to a fashion shoot at the Fresh Academy in Watford.

Thousands of girls entered the competition and 31 semi-finalists have been picked for the seventh heat with the public able to vote for their favourite. The winner of the heat contest will get £75 worth of cosmetics and a place in the national final of Miss Fresh Teen on June 1. The national winner will go to Florida and star in a high-profile catalogue shoot, as well as starring in a hair products advert.

To find out how to support Poppy and for further details go to www.missfreshteen.com.