A WOMAN who was bullied as ugly, skinny and big nosed as a teenager is proving her mockers wrong by becoming a pin up model.

Ellen Morley’s hard time growing up in east Durham left her with low self-esteem for more than a decade.

But now, at 32, she is a part-time model and hoping to hit it big in Miss Pinup UK.

Asked her advice for other women struggling with self-image, Miss Morley, who now lives in Kelloe, near Durham, said: “Don’t let people get you down.

“In any walk of life there are always going to be people you don’t get along with. But always believe in yourself.”

Miss Morley took up modelling two years ago, at the request of a friend and retro fashion designer.

Since then, she has been published across the world, including in a calendar.

The Northern Echo:
Ellen Morley, who models as Miss Ellen Jane. Picture: KEVIN LOCKEY

Now she hopes to take her career up a gear by winning national beauty pageant Miss Pinup UK.

Entry to the next stage is down to the public votes and Miss Morley, who models as Miss Ellen Jane, is appealing to the North-East to back her, via pinupuk.com/girls/miss-ellen-jane

The decision to compete was a tough one for Miss Morley, as in February she suffered a miscarriage.

“The last few weeks have been very low. I couldn’t even get through a conversation without crying,” she said.

“But I need something to focus on.”

The Northern Echo:
Ellen Morley, who models as Miss Ellen Jane. Picture: PETER ALLI

Her late application was accepted after one contestant dropped out unexpectedly.

“I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity. Modelling is addictive. It’s so much fun.

“The make-up artists and photographers and editors can make an image so special.

“All women experience their ‘fat days’ and ‘thin days’, days when they like their hair and days when they don’t. But I wish I’d done this when I was 16. I just didn’t have the confidence then.

“I was really nervous when I did it for the first time – I probably wasn’t very good.”

The Northern Echo:

Ellen Morley, who models as Miss Ellen Jane. Picture: ADAM CARLTON

Miss Pinup UK will win a range of clothes, shoes and photography opportunities.

Voting in the first round closes on Thursday (April 28) and the quarter-finalists will be announced two days later. The winner will be crowned at the London Tattoo Convention in September.