A 15-year-old schoolgirl has worked through tough teenage years to compete for the title of Miss Teen UK Galaxy.
Scarlett Blahyj from Giltbrook was very poorly when she young.
She was diagnosed with coeliac disease at the age of 11, leaving her to try and live a gluten-free diet.
After severe back pain, she was then diagnosed with scoliosis - a sideways curvature of the spine - at the age of 13.
News that she is heading for the countrywide final of the competition, after winning the title of Miss Teen East Midlands Galaxy, is exciting for her family who are brimming with pride.
She will represent the region on March 14 at the Best Western Hotel, Preston.
To be chosen, she sent in three photos and completed an application form.
Now she will model swim wear, fashion and evening wear, hopefully taking her one step closer to the final.
The winner will fly out to Chicago in the summer to compete for the title of Miss International Galaxy.
Her proud mum, Tasha Haynes, said: "This is Scarlett's first entrance into a beauty pageant. She loves hair, makeup and fashion and hopes to use this as a platform to begin YouTube when she finishes school after her GCSEs in May.
"Scarlett has been sponsored by Ormonde Fields Golf Club Bar and Restaurant in Codnor, where she works as a waitress on a Sunday in their Carvery.
"Scarlett, her 12-year-old sister Isla, her 69-year-old grandad Colin and dad Paul - who works at Toyota in Burnaston - are abseiling in the Peak District on Feb 1 for the Galaxy pageant's chosen charity, The Christie cancer charity.
"She is hoping to raise £500 for the charity. Toyota will match anything Paul raises up to £500.
"This is a huge achievement for Scarlett who has had some tough teenage years."
Scarlett studies dance at the Marcia Jones School of dance in Beeston, and has danced as a Theatre Royal babe in four Nottingham pantomimes.
She also attends the prestigious Inspire Drama Academy in Nottingham, run by Luke Gell from Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps.
