As she poses in her sash and crown, a beaming smile on her face, Stephanie Wyatt is the picture perfect beauty pageant queen.

But the 17-year-old, who has been named as this year's Miss Dorset, is on a mission to prove that such competitions are inspiring and empowering for young girls, and hold an important place in today's society.

"We are trying to shake that stigma off," explains Stephanie, who is studying for a law degree and hopes to become a barrister.

"There is a bikini round, but it's optional. We have rounds like eco, charity, natural beauty, beautiful mind, sports woman and Miss Photographic.

"We have to make a dress out of charity shop clothes, show what we've done for charity and try and raise as much money as we can."

Stephanie, who was voted into Dorset's top ten following an on-line poll, and was entered into the Miss England contest after winning the Miss Dorset title at AFC Bournemouth recently, grew up watching beauty pageants and always wanted to enter herself.

She didn't realise, as a child, exactly what the competitions involved, but says she's thrilled to now have a platform to raise awareness of issues close to her heart.

"You create a platform for what you believe in and what you want to support and promote through your charity. I've been going to schools a lot to talk to them about what I've been raising money for."

Stephanie supports the Beauty with a Purpose charity, set up by Miss World to help disadvantaged children around the world.

"We all want to make a difference," she explains.

"I go to charity events a lot and I run charity events as well - I've done a party at the Lost Garden and a Puppy Pageant. I just want to help others, no matter what city or country."

Stephanie says becoming Miss Dorset and doing local charity work has opened her eyes to suffering in the world, and she now wants to take the opportunity to do what she can to help.

But she also wants to help dispel the myth and stereotype surrounding beauty pageants.

"They're looking for a lady, someone who can represent England," she says.

"You realise it's not about the looks or the body or the shape. It's about someone who's got a good heart. Someone who can represent the country in a good way. I wouldn't say there's anything negative about it."

Stephanie, who works part-time as well as setting her own building company, will be returning to Miss Dorset in 2017 as a judge.

"I think it's definitely changed," she adds, "you would see girls in bikinis and girls starving themselves. But now we have girls of all shapes and sizes.

"It's a good message. It gives opportunities for young girls to not only be heard, but to be seen, to voice their opinion for others. I've got a platform to raise awareness. I will use this gift of life to be of use to others, it's just about helping others."