THE mother of a seven-year-old girl who wears make up, fake tan and skimpy outfits in a bid to become famous has faced a backlash after the youngster was sponsored by a vaping company.

Single mum Jenna Eastland, 31, spends thousands of pounds on spray tans, hair extensions and cosmetics for her daughter Layla Thompson, who goes by the stage name Layla Belle.

Layla, from Newton Aycliffe is being paid by Vapour Love, a business which sells e-cigarettes and e-liquids, in return for wearing branded company clothing.

Ms Eastland said she had received criticism from people who believe Layla, who is being sponsored by Vapour Love to compete in Miss British Empire UK, should not be promoting the products.

The mother-of-three said: “When they offered to sponsor her I didn’t even think about it. I didn’t think maybe I shouldn’t.

“On social media people have been saying it is not a good idea to get a kid advertising for smoking, but it is not smoking.

“Lots of the stuff they sell don’t even have nicotine in it. I don’t know why people are spitting their dummy out. I would never let her have a go of it.”

Layla, who has worn make up and dressed up from the age of one, regularly competes in beauty pageants and dance competitions.

Shildon-based Vapour Love offered to pay the £100 fee for Layla to represent Durham in Miss British Empire UK in Buckinghamshire this week.

In return Layla will wear Vapour Love clothing, including a hoodie and cap.

Jenna, who receives benefits as a full-time carer for Noah and Brody who have autism, said: “She loves the Vapour Love hoodie, she wears it all the time. Vapour Love are a local company and it is good publicity for them to sponsor Layla.”

Vapour Love is run by Michael Feeney, 34, and Daryl Mcgarrigle, 22.

Owner Mr Feeney said: “The way I look at it, it is the business which is sponsoring Layla not the brand. We are not trying to get her to promote e-cigarettes and stuff like that.

“They are a totally different category to cigarettes in my view anyway, it is a stop smoking product. We have known Layla for a long time. We completely stand by her and support her.”

  • Layla has been offered the chance to represent the UK in Junior Model International and Miss Superglobe in India next month.
  • Her family are raising money for her to compete at gofundme.com/2wf8c4c