TEENAGE beauty Corrinda Miranda has reached the national finals of a top modelling contest.

Corrinda, 16, of Edwinstone Road in Ansdell, attended the regional finals of the CitroM-Qn Fashion Face of '96 modelling competition at the Royal Lancashire Show, appearing alongside other contestants from the north-west.

She said: "I was really nervous before I went on the catwalk. The other girls were gorgeous and I was very surprised when I won."

Mum Anne entered her daughter for the contest by sending off two photographs.

Corrinda said: "Mum came in with the photos one day and asked me to sign the form. I wasn't sure but I signed it anyway and now I'm glad I did!"

The finals take place at the Newbury & Berkshire Show on September 21 and the overall winner will receive a portfolio shoot and an introduction to leading London modelling agency Models One, which handles such famous faces as Yasmin Le Bon and Jerry Hall.

Even after her recent success, Corrinda still has her feet firmly planted on the ground.

She said: "I would love to be lucky enough to follow a career in modelling but if that doesn't work out I have enrolled to study art sculpture at college in September."

Another 16-year-old Blackpool beauty, Chantelle Wilson, is also one step closer to taking the glitzy world of glamour by storm after being shortlisted as a regional finalist in a top modelling competition.

With her peaches and cream looks, gorgeous six-footer, Chantelle, said: "I'm absolutely delighted and very excited to have been chosen for the North of England final of the Highland Spring Face of 96 modelling competition. I can hardly wait!"

Blonde-haired, blue-eyed, Chantelle, of Elgin Place in Layton, will be one of 20 competitors in the regional finals, to be held at Manchester's Hilton (Airport) Hotel on August 8, hoping and dreaming of winning a coveted place in the grand final.

If Chantelle's dreams of reaching the final come true, she will be stepping out in front of a star-studded celebrity judging panel, which will include Richard Branson and supermodel Carla Bruni, at London's exclusive Grosvenor House Hotel on September 12.

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