A YOUNG Dorset woman is in with the chance of a Hollywood modelling career.

Samantha Smith, 23, is in the finals for Model of the Year and if she wins she could scoop a £5,000 trip to Hollywood to sign with an agent.

The final is being broadcast live on the internet from an old ITV studio in Norwich on November 24 and 25 with Hollywood agents assessing what they see and instant messaging their result to the UK judges.

The 50 contestants will take part in Hollywood-themed photoshoots as their favourite film characters and interviews with judges.

Samantha, of Burton Bradstock, will dress as Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The competition is run by top model Kerri Parker, who owns the Kerri Parker Academy, the UK’s largest model training school.

Kerri is currently living in Los Angeles and will be flying the winner out to sign with her Hollywood agent, appear on the red carpet and do television interviews with her, and also shoot a calendar on Malibu beach.

As part of the contest Samantha is also raising money for Help for Heroes organising cake sales, raffles and sponsorship.

Samantha works as a childminder and as well as being a part-time semi-professional model but hopes by next year that will be a full-time career.

She was in the Miss Dorset final this year and was crowned Miss Dorset Popularity and is currently in the finals for Miss South West International 2013.

If anyone would like to donate contact her on samsmith9@hotmail.co.uk and she will send a secure link to donate online.

She is no stranger to fundraising having tackled in memory of her cousin James Thorner and step-sister Tasmin Dalton following their tragic deaths within months of each other last year.

She raised money for Young Minds, a mental health charity for young people.