A STINT of modelling for a have-a-go feature in a Hampshire magazine has led to 19-year-old Kylie Perry being named Miss Southampton.

Now the stunning blonde teenager from Hedge End will be representing the city at the Miss England finals in London on October 9.

To be in with a chance of winning the title, Kylie must now get the support of the city behind her.

"From September 15 you can vote for me online and also by text. I need to prove I have Southampton supporting me to be in with a chance," she said.

Kylie got into modelling by accident when her father Martin asked her to take on an assignment for his magazine.

"I wanted to see what it was like trying to break into modelling and to be honest, I didn't know if Kylie would make it but it's really taken off for her," said Martin.

As part of the assignment Kylie joined the Modelhub Agency and it was through them that she won the title of Miss Southampton.

"Modelhub was asked to put forward girls for the title of Miss Southampton and I found out a few days ago that I had been chosen," she said.

Kylie started training as a beauty therapist at a local college when a book she was reading had a profound effect upon her.

"I was reading a Child Called It, by Dave Pelzer, and I was so moved by it I decided I wanted to work with abused children.

"I gave up my beauty course and enrolled to do other subjects that would help in my new career," she said.

Sadly the course did not work out, but Kylie hopes that if she wins the Miss England crown her dream may yet come true.

"I know it sounds cheesy but I really would love to work with children in Third World countries and if I had the profile of Miss England that would help me achieve that."