Greenock student to take part in Miss GB contest this summer

Sophie Louise Stewart, a former Notre Dame High School pupil, is taking part in the Miss GB Beauty competition.

The 21-year-old says she has never done anything like this before but thought she would give it a try.

Sophie, who comes from Brougham Street but is currently living in Glasgow, said: "I saw the advert and made an online application and I was accepted.

"I was shocked at first but I thought it was a good opportunity.

"I'm going to go for it, there's nothing stopping me and I'm not going to lose anything by doing it."

She will compete in a regional heat to become Miss GB Glasgow at the Broadcroft Hotel in Kirkintilloch in July.

Sophie, who is studying finance at Glasgow Caledonian University, says that she wants to use the experience to encourage younger girls to be all they can be.

She said: "I am trying not to think about the GB final, I hope to use the Miss Glasgow experience as a wider platform to be a role model to younger girls.

"I want to show them they can be anything they want to be. You can be beautiful but still be intelligent, still be kind and funny."

There will be an interview round where Sophie will tell judges a bit about herself, a swimwear and eveningwear round.

Sophie said: "It's been great fun so far, I've met a couple of the girls and this month we're going to a few group training and mentoring afternoons.

"We've been getting some pointers on how to present ourselves."

She says her family and friends are equally excited about her venture.

Sophie said: "My friends are quite supportive about it, they will all be cheering me on."