A VICTIM of the Manchester Arena bombing will be representing Greater Manchester in a national pageant this year.

Elsa Hannington, 19, from Westhoughton, will be competing in the UK's , in the teens division.

As part of the pageant, Elsa aims to raise £2,000 for the mental health charity MIND.

At the age of 14 Elsa wasn't aware that her mental health was impacted by the arena bombing at first.

She said: "It was my first concert with my friends at 14, and I was just a child.

"I had no awareness of the resources available to me or that I even had mental health problems.

"I felt like I had no one to speak to about it, and I struggled to go out.

"And I don't want any other person to feel like that."

If Elsa is successful in winning the title, she wants to continue using her platform to work with the local council and make sure that mental health systems are in place for young people.

She is already due to give talks from next month at high schools in her area, to highlight what mental health support is available in Bolton.

Elsa has always dreamt of taking part in pageants. But it was her best friend who encouraged her to get involved.

The pageant will be split into two days, with a range of activities, leading to the grand finale in July.

On day one, there will be a photoshoot with the other contestants; along with a pilates class; a confidence building class; female empowerment workshops; and a Pyjama party.

Day two will involve an interview, a competition where Elsa will share what she will do if she wins, and the grand finale.

Elsa added: "It's amazing and I'm so excited to get through to the finals, because there were thousands of people who applied.

"This pageant is completely different to the stereotypical images of what a pageant is.

"It shows the importance of female empowerment and the confidence you can get from it."

Donations can be made via her Just Giving page.