A BUDDING beauty queen has made it to the semi-finals of Miss Teen Great Britain.

Sixteen-year-old Lauren Ellis has dreamed of a career in modelling since childhood and is keeping everything crossed for success in the national competition for 13- to 18 -year-olds.

Lauren, of Stanney Oaks, is keen to follow her idol Kate Moss down the catwalk to fame and fortune.

Business and administration apprentice Lauren has already taken part in a number of competitions, including Miss Teen British Isles.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to do this kind of thing and have followed famous models like Kate Moss for years.

She explained that she was enjoying her new found fame as a popular teenage model, saying: “I think of it as a way of expressing myself and this is my way of showing who I am.

“When you enter the competitions you get to have a lot of new experiences and meet a lot of different people.”

A panel of judges will now decide if Lauren will get through to the next stage.

The eventual winner will be crowned in a ceremony at the Globe Hotel, Blackpool, next year, when they will also receive £1,000.