Gemma needs votes in quest for beauty title

TEENAGE stunner Gemma Edwards is bidding to be named the winner of a beauty contest.

The 19-year-old, of Highwood Road, Uttoxeter, has qualified for the semi-final in the search for the Teen Queen UK.

And she is now urging people from her home town to support her bid to win the crown.

Gemma, a former Thomas Alleyne's High School pupil, was scouted for the competition at the NEC Clothes Show last December.

The pretty brunette said: "I was told to send in a letter with a picture and after a couple of days I received an application form through the post.

"I have thought about doing something like this before but just never have. I think the reason I did it this time was because I was encouraged to."

Gemma, who studies childcare at Burton College, was invited to a photo shoot in London last week.

She added: "I had never done anything like it before and at first it was really scary – but it was fun as well."

Gemma said her boyfriend Josh Holden and friends had rallied around to generate as many votes as possible.

She is currently 11th in the leader table out of a total of 41 entrants. The top two will make it through to the grand final to be held in London in August.

She said: "I have put it on Facebook and we have put posters up around the college. My friends are helping me by asking people to text in."

The annual beauty competition was launched four years ago and gives hopefuls the chance to win a range of prizes including tanning products, an introduction to a top modelling agency and the chance to represent the UK in an all expenses-paid international pageant.

Her camera shy mother, Mandy, is hoping her daughter will do well in the contest.

She said: "She is a quiet, shy girl and being in a competition like this will boost her confidence.

"She has always loved getting dressed up and putting make up on. She is a popular girl and I hope she does well."

The teen beauty's priorities lie with finishing her childcare course at college but would not dismiss a career in modelling if the competition led to one.

To vote for Gemma text Gemma Edwards to 84205 or call 0901 656 1515. Voting is open until Sunday, February 14 at 11.30pm.