THE city's own burlesque star Fabia Cerra has been named Most Empowering Woman at the British Plus Size Awards on Saturday night.

Despite being originally put forward for the Best Burlesque Performer 2015 - a new award this year - she was instead given the honour celebrating her work inspiring other plus-size women.

The awards, held at London's Radisson Blue Portman Hotel, aim to recognise those who have broken barriers in the plus-size industry.

Ms Cerra, from Blackbird Leys, was beaten to the burlesque award, before being told by organisers that she was being given another honour, which had not been included in the original awards list.

She said: "It was a total shock, the last thing I was expecting. I thought that I was up for the burlesque award and that was it.

"I was shaking and ecstatic, to be called that is major. I have had a lot of struggles in my life and it was great to celebrate it with all the other women there.

"I don't know what is going to happen next but I will try my best to keep up the good work with the women that I help."

Ms Cerra shot to fame in 2009 after appearing on ITV's Britain's Got Talent, where she made the semi-finals.

On Saturday she also presented the award for Best Entertainer, which was won by fellow BGT contestants the Honey Buns.