A RUNCORN teenager will compete for the title of Miss Teen Great Britain with her heartfelt campaign to make others feel confident in their own skin.

Niamh Rooney, a 16-year-old Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy student was labelled a ‘beauty’ by the pageant organisers who awarded her a place in the competition.

Breaking stereotypes in the pageant world, Miss Teen GB claims to not be a beauty contest, but instead a ‘platform to celebrate teenagers, their achievements and their goals’.

Niamh, who works part-time as a barista, saw the contest advertised on social media and decided to apply.

“I applied and sent in some photos of me and didn't tell anyone in case I didn't get it. I didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing,” she said.

The ambitious teen spoke of being ‘ecstatic’ to find out she had secured a pageant place.

“I’ve never been in a pageant before so it’s all very new and exciting to me,” she added.

As part of the work involved in running in the pageant, each contestant must begin campaigning and fundraising for a cause of their choice.

Niamh is spearheading a campaign to encourage body confidence in young people.

“My campaign is going to be on body image and positivity as I was born with gastroschisis as a baby, which is a birth defect which means I don't have your ‘typical’ belly button,” she continued.

“I have a lot of scars which I've only recently became confident in.

“Even though this is something new for me it would mean a lot for me to win because I feel like people can be ashamed of their scars and things that are different about them.

“I've lived my life being a little bit different to my friends, I’ve been bullied because of it, and it would mean the world to me if people who have gastroschisis or anything remotely different could see that it won’t stop them and they’re perfect regardless.”

Niamh also revealed her plans to set up a fundraiser in honour of Together for Short Lives charity – which works to help children with life-limiting illnesses.

As well as building confidence, she said she is also excited to meet new people and make new friends throughout the contest.

The Miss Teen Great Britain pageant will take place in Blackpool at the end of this year.