A WINSFORD lady is proving that big is beautiful after reaching the finals of a prestigious national pageant.

Helen Haughton will be followed by film crews and attend star-studded catwalk shows as part of Miss Plus Size International 2015.

The annual beauty contest helps promote a positive body image of larger women, and dispel unrealistic ideas of the female form propagated by the media and advertising.

Previous winners have featured on national TV and launched their own clothing lines.

“The contest shows that you don’t need to be a size eight to be beautiful,” explained Helen, who works at Care Connect in Gadbrook Park, Northwich.

“There’s no size label to beauty. It’s about being happy in your own self.

“You see these images in the media where models are photo shopped. Young girls are reading these magazines and getting eating disorders because they’re trying to be like these models.”

Helen’s philosophy was affirmed by her experience in 2003 – when shedding seven stone left her seriously ill with gallstones – a common side effect of rapid weight loss.

“I still have all my slimmer of the month awards, but I actually nearly died,” said Helen, who has gone from a size 28 to a 20 bottom and 24 top in the past 18 months.

“I’ve since lost weight to be healthier, but I still enjoy being a plus size,” she added.

“It doesn’t matter what weight or size you are; it’s important to be happy. That’s what this competition is all about.”

Helen now has her own Facebook page where people can follow her progress ahead of next year’s final.

She’s due to take part in professional photo shoots and attend a ‘boot camp’ style secondment in a country house alongside other contestants, where she will be given modelling lessons and taught how to use the catwalk.

Follow and ‘like’ her progress by clicking on this link.