A BEAUTY pageant hopeful who wants to raise awareness of anxiety is calling on the general public to help her continue her journey.

Laura Stephenson, 24, who lives in Crowthorne, competed in the Essex heat of Miss Swimsuit UK on July 21, and is hoping to get through to the final on a 'wildcard' public vote.

The shop assistant, who has overcome crippling anxiety to take part in the competition, said she wants to use the final as a platform to spread awareness of the condition which affects so many young people.

She said: "The competition went really well, the organisers and the other entrants were all really nice and friendly. It was a full-on day, we did a lot of photoshoots and promotional work before the actual competition itself.

"Even though I didn't get through, my journey is not over. When the first article about me appeared in The Bracknell News, I received such an overwhelming response from friends, family and people I didn't know. I had old schoolfriends contact me on social media to say it was a really brave thing I was doing, and that they also suffered from anxiety and poor mental health.

"To have people open up to me like that was incredible, and I want to take it further."

Laura is now calling on members of the public to vote for her to win a spot in the finals by 'loving' her photo on the competition's Facebook page.

She said: "Three girls will be chosen by the public to join the three who already made it through. It would mean so much for me to get through to the final on October 5 and to carry on spreading awareness of anxiety."

Voting closes at 10pm on Tuesday, August 7. To vote, visit https://bit.ly/2LQi9jL