A 12-year-old schoolgirl will be representing Bolton in the final of the Little Miss Teen Great Britain pageant.

Amelia Hill, who attends Smithills’ School and lives in the Haulgh, has already been awarded the title of Little Miss Teen Bolton.

The pageant encourages young girls to share their talents and help the wider community through charity work.

The Little Miss Teen category is open to girls aged 10-12, although the pageant goes up to age 19.

Amelia’s mum Nicola said: “She’s really excited about it. She’s done some modelling in the past which she enjoyed doing so se she decided to enter the pageant.

“In the final they will have to go on stage and give a performance, show what they can do as a person. Amelia plays the saxophone so she may do that.

“I think it will help with her confidence a lot. She’s confident around friends and family but can be shy around people she doesn’t know.”

The pageant supports the charity Together for Short Lives, which helps families who care for ill children. Amelia intends to raise money for the charity, starting in the coming weeks with a 2.6 Challenge.

Nicola hopes they can organise larger fundraising events in the future, at the fairground run by Amelia’s father Laurence, who is a travelling showman. Nicola co-owns Blake Laurence hair salon in Farnworth, which will sponsor Amelia in the pageant.

Nicola said: “Nobody’s done something like this in our family before, no one’s as artistic as her. She’s just pushed herself to do it.

“The final in Blackpool isn’t until October, Amelia wishes it wasn’t so far away but I’ve said that’s a good thing as it means it can still go ahead.

“She wants to be an architect when she’s older, she loves drawing. I’m so proud of her, she’s a good girl.”