This 20-year-old Ballygawley blonde is big and proud - she has no time for skinny super models or size zero waifs. Fresh from a starring role in the opening heat of this year's Miss Northern Ireland competition, Arlene is set to bounce onto the catwalk.

The audience at the beauty pageant raised the roof when Arlene took to the stage in a bid to win the title and tiara, and now she is hoping her big-time debut will lead to a career in modelling.

"I'm trying to beat down the size zero craze and encourage young girls towards the fact that it is your health that matters. If you are a bit bigger, it's really attractive and there are loads of clothes out there for bigger girls," she says, as she models for a magazine photo shoot.

At a time when the nation is fixated with overweight children, size zero models and Posh Spice wannabes, Arlene says: " Big is beautiful."

"It's all about your health and personality, not size. So many girls are stick thin. And so many girls crave to be as thin as them. But being bigger doesn't matter. It's beautiful, it's normal and it's you. You shouldn't be someone you're not."

And the blonde stunner says she never has any problems attracting men: "No, it was never a problem, as I said it's all about personality. I have a boyfriend now so I don't bother with all that anymore."

The lucky fella is Damien Kelly, who Arlene describes as "just lovely".

Size debate

The size zero debate raged this year with London Fashion Week refusing to ban allegedly dangerously underweight models.

This came in the wake of the tragic deaths of Brazilian model Ana Caroline Reston and Uruguayan Luisel Ramos who both lost their lives to anorexia.

Alison Campbell, of Northern Ireland modelling agency ACA, is more positive on the industry here: "The fashion scene in Ireland is very different. There are no size zero models on our books and there is also no demand for them. The smallest size we have is an eight and even that is too thin sometimes.

"We do have regular requests for plus-sized models. We actually have a couple of shows in the next few weeks and there are several being cast."

Arlene was delighted to receive encouragement from Alison, the Miss Northern Ireland organiser, who praised her courage and confidence to enter the competition.

"It was a really pleasant surprise and a breath of fresh air to see Arlene in the heats. Although she didn't win she was placed in the final five.

" She really added to the spirit of Miss Northern Ireland and was the life and soul back stage at the event. After meeting Arlene I know I could use her for modelling work and could recommend her to anyone," says Alison.

As Arlene slips into her stunning full-length ball dress during the shoot, she says she is ready to take on the world and fly the flag for plus-size models.

"This has just been the best experience for me, I have loved it and let's hope there is a bright future for me," she says.

Proud mum Patricia admits she used to worry about her size.

"I'm very proud of Arlene, she has a brilliant personality and is very confident, which is all I want for my children. She really is one of a kind and very, very beautiful.

"Being a bigger girl she has always been proud of her size. I used to worry about eating disorders but Arlene was always ok. This whole issue of children being put under pressure unnecessarily is an awful thing."

Arlene accepts that being too big can be a problem for some.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that being obese is ok or anything, I just want young girls to realise that beauty is all about how you feel about yourself, and that includes being healthy.

"If you feel comfortable and content with yourself then people can see that as well. I wouldn't change anything about myself.

"I like my size, I'm so happy and so content and I have never had any problems with it. I like to say to myself: 'Curves are hot ... zero is not'."