A STUDENT is firmly in the spotlight after winning a national modelling competition against thousands of other entrants.

Rowena Cole from Darlington took the title of ‘Overall Natural Beauty’ at the 9th annual Top Model UK competition earlier this month.

The 21-year-old saw an advert on social media for the prestigious London event and decided she would go for it.

“I’ve always been interested in modelling,” she said, “but never took it seriously as I thought I was too short at 5ft 5.”

“I thought I would just go for it and applied for the competition. I was over the moon when I found out that I had made it to the final.”

The Northern Echo:

Miss Cole was invited to London for face to face interviews and some coaching sessions.

“We practised walking in heels with books balanced on our head, which was good fun. I do yoga so managed to keep them there.” She said.

“We also had dress fittings and some coaching tips, it was optional to go but I’m so pleased I did because I learnt a lot of new things.”

During the final, held inside the Hilton London Metropole, she stepped out onto the catwalk in front of hundreds of spectators before she was crowned the winner.

“When the host called my name and my number I couldn’t believe it. They were playing really dramatic music and I got a bit emotional.

“When we were rehearsing the other girls and I didn’t think the venue looked so big, but when it came to walking in front of everyone we realised it was huge.

“It was so bright and I got a huge adrenaline rush. I was quite nervous, there were people everywhere and always so much going on.”

Miss Cole, an art and design student, won overall natural beauty and another award for the most photogenic.

She added: “I will find out what my prize is next weekend, last year’s winners won a trip to Malta.”

“I’ve got a varied portfolio but have never done any paid work yet. My goal for this year now is to get signed to a modelling agency."