A TEENAGER has her sights on a career as a top model after reaching the semi-final of a major competition.

Whitney Bridges, 13, of Pentre, Deeside, has taken a big step towards her dream job after reaching the semi-final of Miss Teen Great Britain.

Now she faces an anxious wait to see if she has made the 60-contestant final to be held at the Globe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, on September 25.

Whitney said: “I’m really proud. I did not think I would make it to the semi-final. It would mean a lot for me to win the competition. It would be a really big achievement. Winning something like this would help me in my career.”

As well as modelling, the teenager, who is home tutored, is a keen dancer and singer and also harbours aspirations to become a top hairdresser.

Her proud mum, Sherrel, said: “I’m really proud of her because she is very level-headed and she knows what she wants.

“I can see her going quite far. She does not get defeated by things. For a career in modelling it is important that she is level-headed.”

A panel of judges will review all semi-finalists and select the lucky grand finalists who will be judged on their photographs and information they have provided.

The prize for being crowned Miss Teen Great Britain includes £1,000 cash, a sash and crown, a selection of make-up and a photo shoot with one of the UK’s leading photographic studios.

And the youngster has the support of her mum, brother James, nine, and all her friends and family.

Whitney, who has modelled at the Trafford Centre and during Liverpool Fashion Week, said: “My mum found out about the competition on the internet and told me about it. I want to be a professional model.

“When I was eight or nine I decided I wanted to be a model. I saw them on the television and I really just wanted to do it. It seems like a fun career.

“I would like to model for John Galliano or Vivienne Westwood.”