X FACTOR judge Louis Walsh recorded a congratulations video for a Greenock schoolgirl after she finished in the top three of a major fashion design competition.

Kira McCarthy, 18, saw off competition from over 400 entrants to take third place in a ‘trash fashion’ contest thanks to a unique jacket made out of tree bark and phormium leaves.

After the event in Glasgow, her proud mum Vicki bumped into Louis Walsh, who was one of the judges in the competition.

Vicki told the Tele: “It felt amazing when it was announced that Kira came third – I’m very proud of her.

“Afterwards, she was travelling back down the road with her friend and I headed back to the car with my friend Marion.

“As we were walking, I spotted Louis in the Crowne Plaza Hotel so we went over and explained that my daughter had come third.

“He was lovely and said he was impressed with Kira’s design because it was so natural.

“Because Kira wasn’t with me I asked him if he would record a message for her, so he did.

“He said in the video how much he loved Kira’s 
design, he was really nice.”

Kira enjoyed mingling with the stars at the event and managed to get her photo taken with X Factor stars ‘Reggie N Bolli’, who performed on the night.

She was also thrilled to claim third prize in the showcase.

She told the Tele: “I wasn’t expecting to even get into the top 10 of the competition never mind getting third place.

“When I saw the video message from Louis Walsh it made my week.”
Kira attends Cedars School and fourth year pupil Isabelle Neilson kindly offered to model her creation on the catwalk.

Vicki said: “Isabella modelled it perfectly.”