A YOUNGSTER from Astley Bridge has made it through to the grand finals of Little Miss Teen Great Britain.

Amy Rothwell, aged 11, is representing Bolton in the competition and will go head to head with 19 other girls from all over the UK to compete for the crown, along with other prizes including £250, £500 worth of dresses and a modelling portfolio.

The competition identifies itself specifically not just a beauty contest, but as a positive and confidence boosting experience for young talented girls.

Canon Slade pupil Amy is a committed cheerleader, performing as a tumbler at Hunters Cheerleading squad in Horwich.

Amy's mother Andrea, aged 44, described her daughter as confident, with a "wicked" sense of humour, which she believes will bode well for the personality section of the competition.

She said: "She absolutely loves it. This is the first time Amy hass done anything like this and she's taking it all in her stride. It's wonderful to see. I'm really proud of her."

Amy has been very active in the run up to the finals; she has recently met the mayor and mayoress of Bolton, and was interviewed on the live show on Bolton FM by the wonderful DJ Big H.

As well as meeting various people and conducting interviews, Amy has also been volunteering for the charity Together for Short Lives, a national charity for children with life threatening and life limiting diseases, which offers support to families, professionals and children's hospices.

The Little Miss Teen grand finale takes place at the Globe Theatre in Blackpool on October 24 and 25.