Redhead who was taunted at school in model contest

As a child Kayleigh McCabe was bullied for her red hair - but now her flaming locks have led to her being spotted as possibly one of the country's next top models.

The 19-year-old from Cannock, who is studying hairdressing at South Staffordshire College, will face the judges on Friday for the finals of Top Model UK.

Click on the image on the right to view more pictures of Kayleigh

All the previous winners have gone on to take part in major fashion shows and have been photographed by top European designers.

It's a far cry from when she was at Hayes Meadow Primary School in Rugeley, when she was relentlessly teased about her red hair.

"I don't look back on that time with happy memories as I was really picked on at school," she said.

"I'm a size eight but I have a 32DD chest and so was quite different to the other girls.

"Also I had crooked teeth and before I had a brace they called me 'dumb ginger rabbit' – even today it still makes me sad to think about it and I don't like looking at photos of myself from school.

"But now I feel like I have shown the bullies that I'm no longer the victim."

This Friday the Top Model UK finals will take place at the Hilton Metropole in London.

People can vote for Kayleigh by going to www.topmodeluk.com/kayleigh.

All profits made from the public vote go to Great Ormond Street charity Children with Cancer UK. Voting closes at midnight tomorrow.