An Oxfordshire schoolgirl has been plucked from thousands of hopefuls to be in the finals of a modelling contest, despite missing the deadline for entries.

Fifteen-year-old Harriet Bates, from Ambrose Rise, in Wheatley, is one of 34 girls who will compete in the finals of Miss Top Model UK, in London, in March.

The Wheatley Park schoolgirl, who sits her GCSEs this summer, will take to the catwalk in a mix of couture, day wear, lingerie and burlesque outfits in a bid to win the competition.

The aspiring model and keen photographer said her place in the competition had been completely by chance.

She said: “I had a portfolio of photographs taken, which I sent to a modelling company to see if they could find any work for me.

“They said there was a competition they thought I should try out for, and even though the deadline for entries had already gone, I was accepted.”

At 5ft 8in, Harriet, who takes a size six dress, had previously been told she would probably not make it as a catwalk model, as she was too short.

But, since being picked to be in the final, the schoolgirl said she will carry on trying for her goal and take inspiration from her idol Kate Moss, who at 5ft 6in tall is also shorter than most catwalk models.

She added: “I have wanted to be a model since I was much younger, and I admire the way she also started young.

“The people running the competition have told my mum my age could be a good thing, because anyone booking me can mould me to how they want me.

“They’ve already told me they think I should change the cut of my hair and dye it brown, which I will be doing next week.”

There are 11 prizes up for grabs, including a year’s modelling contract and a cosmetic dental session.

The winners of the competition will be decided by text vote, with all money raised going to breast cancer charities and national charity Walk the Walk.

Her mother Debra Bates said: “The idea to try to be a model was completely Harriet’s idea, it has to be said, but I fully support her the whole way.

“She said to me one day she was sick and tired of people coming up to her and commenting on how thin she was, as you wouldn’t dream of doing it to someone who was overweight.

“She’s quite a shy girl, but I think one of the reasons she was keen to do it was to show people you can be naturally thin and healthy.”

To see more of Harriet’s competition photos go to the finalist section of misstopmodel.com To vote for her, text MODEL to 88010 followed by a space and the number 15.