A Banbury teenager is urging people to vote for her to win a place in the Miss England contest.

Laura Sullivan, 17, has made it to the public vote round for a chance to get direct entry to the final of the Miss England.

She faces competition from more than 30 other young women all vying for the last two places in the annual contest.

The winner of the public vote is guaranteed a place and judges will choose one woman from the top ten chosen by the public.

Former Warriner School pupil Laura said she had always wanted to get into modelling but one thing had always stood in her way — her height.

She said: “I am only 5’ 1” so when this opportunity came about, quite by accident, it was something I really wanted to go for.

“I had sent one of my portfolio pictures to the Miss England website, who then contacted Fresh Academy — one of the Miss England’s sponsors — who phoned me and said that Miss England wanted me to go for an audition to their studios in Watford.

“So my Mum and my big sister Charlie came along to support me.

“We all had a great day.”

Laura, who lives in Brickle Lane, Bodicote, near Banbury, and works as a catering assistant at Bloxham School, added: “Fresh explained to me the process of the next stage which would need me to be selected to appear on the website for the public to vote so imagine how chuffed I was when my picture appeared.

“Currently I am second in the public vote and really need as much help as I can as I need to remain in the top ten to stand a chance of being selected to go straight to the finals of Miss England.”

She spends her spare time with her dogs and hoses and dancing, but said: “I guess if I had to sum me up I would say that I am fun loving, caring and hard working.

“Most importantly I strive to be happy, achieve everything my dreams hold and continue to have special relationships with my family and friends.”

Voting closes on June 15.

To vote text Laura Sullivan to 84205 or call 0901 656 1500 quoting reference number 18. Texts cost 60p plus your normal network charges.

For more information view missengland.info/regionals/photoheat10