VIDEO: Storrington teen’s bid for beauty pageant stardom

Out of 2,900 young women who entered the competition, Tempeste Aimee Bridger is one of the lucky few to be picked for the second round - a public vote stage.

As well as asking people to vote for her, Tempeste, 16, said she wanted to warn other people about companies which try to cash in on young models’ ambitions. Her mum Julie Bridger said they had encountered several companies which would charge four figure sums for a photo shoot and an ‘e-folio’, which might disappear within days.

“At the first one of these we went to I was in tears, because she looked so beautiful, and they said that if we didn’t buy the photos, they’d be deleted,” Julie added.

If an agency thinks you have what it takes, she said, they will be happy to promote you without wanting large sums of money up front, or even needing a huge, professionally shot portfolio.

If any money does change hands, they will at least give you the chance to go away and think about it.

“I want to make mum proud,” said Tempeste. “I basically have taken a lot of money from her for modelling - I want to pay it back and make her proud.”

The winner will go through to an international competition, where they will represent the UK.

Those who do well also have the prospect of a trip to Ghana to see the organisers’ supported charities at work.

Last year, 14 Teen Queen entrants went out to lend a helping hand in remote communities.

Vote for her by texting TQ63 to 81319 or call 09005961000 and enter ‘63’ when asked.