A Co Londonderry teenager today told of her hopes of winning a major teen beauty pageant as she continued to feature in the top three in a public vote.

Jade Roberts, from Greysteel, hopes to be one of three finalists selected from her 50-strong group to go onto the Teen Queen UK 2009 final that will be held next July in London.

Teen Queen UK was first launched in December 2006 at the Clothes Show live exhibition in Birmingham.

Jade said today that she is the first girl from Northern Ireland to enter the beauty contest.

The search for the 2009 contestants began in August, with the first of six monthly heats from which the three girls topping the poll will be chosen to go through to the grand finale.

Voting in Jade’s group goes on throughout this month, and will finish at 11:30pm on October 31.

The Greysteel teenager, who is a student at St Mary’s secondary school in Limavady, has been in the top three since voting started, and was today sitting in third place.

She said she entered the competition after spotting an article in OK magazine.

“I entered in August and last month they asked me to go for a photoshoot. There were 80 girls photographed and only 50 went through to the public vote. The top three will go to the final,” said Jade, who said she was interested in both fashion and modelling.

“I love art at school and would love to do fashion design at London College of Art but I like modelling too.”

Jade is hoping that the Northern Ireland public will help make her dream of becoming Teen Queen UK come true.

The competition is split into two categories: Teen Princess for 13-15 year-olds and Teen Queen for girls aged 16-19.

To support Jade, text Jade Roberts to 84205, or ring 09016561515 and enter 40.

Results can be found on the internet, at www.teenqueenuk.com under the 2009 Teen Queen heats section.