AN ARDROSSAN mum has told of how she hopes a teen beauty contest can help her daughter grow in confidence.

Katrina Newell's daughter Lucy has been chosen on a shortlist of contestants as a semi-finalist in this year's Miss Teen Great Britain.

But it is something that came as a shock for the 17-year-old - given she didn't actually sign up for the contest.

It was, in fact, Katrina who entered her daughter in the competition - and it's something she certainly doesn't regret.

Katrina explained: “I put her forward for this. Lucy doesn’t have very much confidence and I thought if I said to her to do this, she won’t do it.

“When I got the email back saying she was selected, that’s when I told her.

“That’s when she said ‘yeah, I may as well do it and put myself out there’.”

Now Lucy is aiming to secure a spot in the grand final, which will be held in Blackpool in October.

From now until August/September, all the semi-finalists will be vying for a spot on the big stage.

And while it may not be quite how the Ardrossan Academy pupil expected to be spending her summer, Katrina says Lucy is relishing the challenge.

She said: "Lucy says she's so excited for this opportunity and cannot believe she has made it this far in the competition.

"This has been a massive achievement for her.

"She has beaten off competition from across Great Britain and Lucy says making it to the semi finals is amazing but getting through to the next round would be a dream come true.

“I think it will just give her the confidence to put herself out there, and help her overcome the challenges she’s had.

“If she can do this she’s hoping to show other girls that anyone can do it.”

Lucy herself added: "Fingers crossed I get to go out there and represent my home town.

"But whatever happens, it's all been about having fun and putting yourself out there."

So how will the local teen go about earning her spot in the final?

This past week, she has been speaking to the judging panel - and showing how they can be a role model to females in their community.

Lucy says she wants "to try and get everyone behind her", and told the judges of her hopes for the competition.

She commented: “I expect to gain confidence whilst advocating to young females allowing them to follow their dreams and have faith in themselves, by competing.”

Lucy will also hope to show how she can support others by raising funds for Miss Teen Great Britain's chosen charity for this year - Together for Short Lives.

The charity aims to help families living with life threatening or life limiting conditions - and while fund-raising fo the charity is optional, Lucy is hoping to put on a fund-raising get-together for family and friends in the near future.

So the hard work starts now - and hopefully will result in a trip to Blackpool in the not-so-distant future!