TWO school friends and aspiring models are in the running to be crowned Miss Staffordshire 2009.

Chloe Molland, aged 18, from Longsdon, is studying English language, media studies and drama at Westwood College in Leek.

She will go head to head in the contest with friend Rachael Foster, aged 22, from Moorfields, who is a photography student at Derby University.

Voting ends on Friday, with the top 10 models then being judged by a panel of experts including the reigning Miss England.

The overall winner of Miss Staffordshire will go through to the semi-final of Miss England 2009 on Monday, June 8.

Chloe is an aspiring model and decided to enter as a way of boosting her modelling profile.

She was in the top 25 of the Miss Teen UK contest out of 4,000 other girls three years ago after being head hunted at the Clothes Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

She has also been offered catwalk work by a London modelling agency.

At 5ft 11 ins, Chloe hopes her height will be an asset in her future modelling career.

She said: "It has been an advantage so far.

"The person who contacted me about the catwalk job said it was one of the main reasons they chose me.

"I haven't really decided what I want to do when I leave college, but I would like to progress with my modelling career.

"I'd never really considered it before but after being in Miss Teen UK when I was 15 I was given a list of agencies and told I should do it, but I decided to carry on with my studies.

"Now it is coming to the end of my A levels I have decided to follow it up.

"I was contacted to say I had been cast for catwalk work and I'm trying to build up my portfolio.

"I still have some photos from when I did Miss Teen UK and Rachael, who is studying photography, has taken some for me which helped build my confidence in front of the camera."

Rachael is regularly commissioned for modelling and promotional work and past projects have included entering Miss Derby last year.

Chloe said she knew Rachael as they both went to the same school and developed their friendship when they did a photo-shoot together.

She said: "Rachael was looking for people to photograph for her studies and I volunteered, thinking it was a good thing to add to my portfolio.

"We didn't know we'd both entered Miss Staffordshire until later on.

"We're not that bothered about being in the competition together.

"I'm not really very competitive anyway."

Chloe, who works as a waitress at the Three Horseshoes Inn at Blackshaw Moor, said she was very excited about the contest and the prospect of representing the county.

She said: "I would be very pleased if I win and proud and honoured to represent Staffordshire.

"And to take part in Miss England would be brilliant."

To vote for Chloe or Rachael, telephone 0901 656 1542.

Select 02 for Chloe or text Chloe Molland to 84205.

For Rachael, select 15 or text Rachael Foster to 84205.