ASPIRING model Iryna Bowman had to wrap herself up against the wintry elements for her latest fashion shoot.

But the North-East chill was nothing compared to the temperatures she encountered in the country she grew up in.

Ms Bowman, who has made it to the finals of Top Model UK 2010, comes from the Ukraine, where temperatures recently plummeted to minus 25.

Now a resident of East Rainton, near Durham, she said: "It's a bit different here to the Ukraine. For one thing its a lot warmer."

The 25-year-old is one of 25 people who have made to the finals of the Runway and Editorial category. The grand final is being staged at the Hilton Metropole in London on March 13.