AN aspiring model from Northwich has been selected to represent her home town in a national beauty contest.

29-year-old Sophie Barker had never entered a modelling competition before she entered 'Miss British Isles' and was duly selected as Miss Northwich earlier this year.

Sophie, who lives in Barnton and went to school at The County High School in Leftwich, said she only wished she had started modelling sooner.

She said: "I have been slowly progressing and building my portfolio for the last three years.

"I've done various beauty shoots and catwalks.

"I wish I had started modelling a lot sooner as its always been a passion of mine.

"This is the first ever modelling competition I've entered.

"I literally just woke up one morning and thought 'you know what, I'm going to enter this competition and see what happens'.

Having been selected as Miss Northwich and securing her place in the final, Sophie will now take on girls from around the UK and Ireland when the final takes place in April next year.

"It was supposed to be this year but everything has been delayed because of the Covid," she said.

"I am looking forward to the actual night of the finals, it's so exciting.

"I am proud of myself already for actually participating in the finals and representing Northwich, my hometown.

"It will be a dream if I win the competition in April."

With 2020 being a year causing such widespread disruption, the success of Sophie's aspiring modelling career has at least been somewhat of a silver lining.

She added: "Due to Covid it has been a different and strange year.

"I did have a day job in Sales for an energy company but the lockdown forced me out of work.

"I've actually decided to change towards working in retail and I'm hoping to find something very soon."

One other positive aspect about 2020 has been Sophie being able to enjoy one of her favourite hobbies, Vanlife.

"Its basically life on the open road," she explains.

"Cooking and sleeping and exploring the great outdoors.

"It's something I do with other half, who has a Volkswagen T5."

The finals of Miss British Isles will take place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chester in April next year, with the winner being given prizes worth more than £10,000.

As well as prizes, which include a trip to Marbella in Spain, there will be a modelling contract and the winner, who gets to keep the Miss British Isles crown will also take part in four photoshoots throughout the year.