A YOUNG teenager is striking her best pose to help spread awareness about Down syndrome.

Jessica Williams, 14, originally from Widnes but now living in Aigburth, Liverpool, has taken part in a photoshoot featuring models with Down Syndrome to challenge people's perceptions of beauty and fashion.

Down Right Beautiful is an online gallery of these photographs, displayed along with stories of how news about Down Syndrome was delivered and advice to expectant parents who may have been given similar news.

The project has been launched ahead of Down syndrome awareness month in October, initiated by 22-year-old Nicole Perkins, based in Birmingham, who drew on her experiences working with people with additional needs support.

She was also driven by the statistic that nine out of 10 women go on to terminate a pregnancy when given news of Down syndrome.

Ms Perkins said: "Studies show that people with Down syndrome, and their families, are happy with their lives.

"The Down Right Beautiful project portrays the more positive, lived experience of Down syndrome."

Nicola Houghton, 38, whose daughter Jessica features in the exhibition, was keen to be involved in Nicole’s project.

She said: "Jessica was a huge surprise to us when she was born.

"She was quite poorly when she was born, needing open heart surgery at nine weeks old but now she wears her scars with pride.

"I never would have dreamed that Jessica would have achieved so much in her life so far and she has effortlessly become a positive role model and advocate for Down syndrome.

"When I saw this national project, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and even the drive to Birmingham didn’t put us off.

"This project was amazing to be involved in and I really hope it helps inform expectant parents and new parents of what Down syndrome is in the 21st century.

"Jessica had the time of her life and the photos show that.

"The press attention it's got so far has been amazing and we're hoping to challenge people's perceptions on beauty."

Down Right Beautiful can be found at nicolelouisep.wixsite.com/downrightbeautiful.