A TEENAGER from Chigwell is hoping to kick start her career in modelling after entering a national beauty pageant.

Danielle Conway, 16, from Millwell Crescent is now through to the semi-finals of the Miss Teen Queen UK pageant, which looks for potential up and coming models aged 13-19 from across the nation.

Danielle has already won her way through to the final 50 contenders from 5,000 entrants and is hoping to get enough votes to make it through to one of three finalists at the live final held in Milton Keynes on August 13.

If she wins, Danielle could win an entire new wardrobe, laptop or more importantly a casting meeting with Rage Model agency.

She has already travelled to London for a professional photoshoot and hair and makeup session for the competition and is hoping it will open doors for her.

She said: “I’d always thought about doing modelling but I didn’t really do anything about it, I went to the clothes show live in Birmingham with my mum and I walked past a stall where you could enter.

“I haven’t done modelling before but i’ve always been quite tall, i’m 5” 9, so I thought i’d give it a try and see what happens.”

Danielle’s proud mum Arlene said: “Not only is she beautiful on the outside but she’s beautiful on the inside, she has a heart of gold.”

Danielle said she is nervous, but excited: “It’s quite scary, but i’d love to do something in fashion, I work in a clothes shop at the moment, and I love fashion, i’m completely obsessed with it.

”It would be absolutely amazing to win, it would really mean so much to me.”

To see more pictures of Danielle and to cast your vote visit www.missteenqueenuk.com