A KILWINNING girl is bidding to become Junior Miss Scotland after making it as a finalist in the competition.

Four-year-old Aiva-Rose Watson will be taking part in the 0-5 category of the national competition held later in the year.

And the Corsehill Early Years pupil will be raising funds for two charities that have affected family members.

She will be raising money for Scottish Autism for her cousin who lives with the condition and Macmillan Cancer Research, for her grandad who is fighting the disease.

Proud mum Katriona Lynch told the Herald: “We’re dead excited. Aiva loves being the centre of attention.

“She loves singing and dancing so I think she will do great on it.

“She attends dancing twice a week, she goes to aqua aerobics on a Monday and does tap, ballet and jazz on Thursday.

“It will be quite good but we’re to do a world leaders theme so I’m trying to plan what we’re going to do about that, I’ve got a couple of ideas but I don’t know yet.

“I’ve got in touch with the nursery and Macmillan Cancer charity and we’re going to do a name the teddy bear competition to raise money for them.

“We’re going to do an autism fun day as well, we just need to get a venue.

“Her cousin is non-verbal with severe autism and she wants to make people more aware and know not to judge kids in supermarkets – it might not be a kid taking a temper but it could be a kid with autism having a meltdown, so Aiva wants to stand up and speak for those who can’t.”

The competition will be taking place on the May 5 at the Ballerup Hall, East Kilbride.

To contribute to her Scottish Autism fundraiser visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aiva-rosefundsautism