A woman who has dealt with years of anxiety and self-confidence over her weight is hoping taking part in a national beauty pageant will help her embrace her figure.
Megan Casey, from Barnham, near Thetford, will represent Norfolk at Miss British Beauty Curve 2018 in Kent on August 4.
The 28-year-old said she had never thought about doing a pageant but it was suggested to her by someone on Facebook.
After researching and finding Miss Beauty Curve - for women who are UK size 14 and over - she submitted an application and was fast-tracked to the final.
“I have got no confidence at all so hopefully this will help me,” said Miss Casey. “I have been really poorly with depression and anxiety. I am only just coming out of it now so I think this will help.
“This is all about body image and promoting it. I go to the gym and I eat healthily but I am just a bigger girl.
“Someone did say to me I should lose weight and enter a normal pageant. But I want to show that you can be big and beautiful and healthy.”
Miss Casey, who works at a barbershop on the US Air Force bases at Mildenhall and Lakenheath, said she is anxious but is also looking forward to the event.
“I have been practicing walking around my house in my heels,” said the single mum to Cole, aged two.
“I am nervous but I am really excited at the same time. I just cannot believe it is happening to me and I am in it.”
During the pageant she will have to wear a number of outfits, including glitz and glamour and summer fun, and will be judged on her confidence, smile and how well she holds herself.
There will also be a one-to-one session with the judges where she will be asked questions. And on the day the women will have to learn a choreographed segment.
The top winners will go through to an international pageant.
“If I can inspire another girl who was like me then that would be great. I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself and now look at me,” she said. “You have to push yourself and do things. You cannot just sit there and wallow.”
Miss Casey has said entering the pageant has also inspired her to look at volunteer charity work.
A fundraising page has been set up to sponsor Miss Casey visit her JustGiving page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here