A POOLE teenager is on her way to becoming a top model after making the finals of a national competition.

Fiona Meacham, 18, has already fought off thousands of others to take her place on the catwalk in April, but said winning would be a dream come true.

She entered Top Model UK after finding the competition online.

Fiona, who works part-time at WH Smith, said: “One night, I was browsing on the internet when this came up.

“I thought I’d give it a shot, and I made it to the audition.

“Then I got through that, and now I’m in the grand final, so it’s all happened really quickly.”

The aspiring model, who has been sponsored by ZEKI Swimwear for the competition, has been shortlisted in the commercial category, along with around 40 others.

She said: “I was one of about 4,000 people at the beginning, and now there’s only 160 girls left in.

“I’m the only competitor from Dorset left in the competition too, so I’m really keeping my fingers crossed.

“I’ve done a few modelling things before but this is something really big.”

Fiona was previously signed up with an agent but decided to leave soon after making her way into the finals of the competition.

She will face off against others in her category on April 12 at the London Hilton Metropole.

“I can’t actually believe it all,” she said. “It was really nerve-wracking to go through the audition but I’m so excited about the grand finals.”

The competition, now in its seventh year, has opened a public voting line.

All proceeds will go to Children with Cancer UK. To vote for Fiona, visit topmodeluk.com