A TRANSGENDER beauty queen who impressed judges at a national competition has set her sights on becoming a glamour icon.

Pammy Rose, from Seaham in County Durham, won second prize at Miss Transgender UK after competing against 11 other women at the event in Leeds.

As part of her prize she has secured a modelling contract with lingerie company Sensalle.

She said: "I never even imagined that I would get this far – I can't believe that I am about to start the journey to my modelling career.

"I will be doing around ten different photo-shoots for the company, and although I am nervous because it is all new to me, I can't wait to go out there and get started.

"At first I was a bit apprehensive because I wasn't sure about doing underwear modelling, but I know that this will be the perfect to inspire other trans girls and show them the endless possibilities for our community."

The 23-year-old shot to fame when she reached the final of The Face of Sunderland without the organisers realising she had been born a boy.

She was born Paul Whitten and had pinned her hopes on winning the competition after learning the first prize was the full sex-change operation she had always wanted.

She added: "Obviously I am disappointed that I didn't win the competition because having the operation is something that I have been needing my whole life, but the second place prize of a modelling contract is like a dream come true.

"The competition was amazing, all the other girls were stunning and the winner was out of this world – I'm happy for her.

Miss Rose told her mum Julie at the age of four that she felt like she did not belong in a male body.

During secondary school she was so badly bullied she felt scared leaving the house but decided to embrace her true self at the age of 14, growing out her hair, wearing makeup and a girls' school uniform.

She officially changed her name aged 18 after a joke about her looking like Pamela Anderson.

She said: "I want to make sure that I can encourage everyone within the trans community to shine.

"No-one should ever have to feel restricted and everyone should be able to have equal opportunities to live their dreams - I am just so lucky to be able to live mine now."