A 15-YEAR-OLD girl from Laverstock is battling it out to be a finalist in a teenage beauty contest after being picked out from the crowds at the NEC in Birmingham.

Naomi Wykes, a pupil at St Edmund’s School, was initially spotted by Teen Princess UK scouts when she was on a school trip to the Clothes Show Live in December.

She went to London for a photoshoot in February, and was informed last Sunday that she was through to the next heat.

“I can’t believe I am through,” said Naomi. “It’s a bit of a shock really because we didn’t think I was successful because they took so long to tell us.”

Naomi’s photo has been up on the official website since Friday, and will remain there until October 31, when the two girls with the most votes will go through the final in August next year.

“We are really proud,” said Naomi’s mum, Linda. “Everyone will be frantically voting. I have been around all my friends and she’s put posters up in school. We are doing as much as we can for her.”

To vote, text Naomi Wykes to 84205 or call 09016 561530. Calls and texts cost 60p each, plus your standard network charge.