Cerne Abbas student Danielle De-Bear in Miss Natural Curves UK finals

The 17-year-old student from Cerne Abbas will be championing natural beauty when she takes on 23 other finalists in a celebration of curvy women.

Danielle, who plans to be a barrister, said the competition is like a breath of fresh air.

She said: “Beauty is skin deep – it’s what inside that’s counts.

“It’s so important to be comfortable with yourself, I’m not starving myself.

“The fashion industry has spent so long telling everyone to be a size zero, things need to be changed to show that bigger sizes are beautiful,” she said.

If Thomas Hardye sixth form student Danielle is crowned Miss Natural Curves UK 2010 she will automatically be put through to the final of Miss England 2010 and win a modelling contract. Competitors range in dress sizes and shapes and are all between 17 and 24 years old.

During the final, held in Bedworth, Warwickshire, tomorrow night, Danielle will model clothes on the catwalk, compete in lingerie, swimsuit, ball gown and casual clothing rounds and perform a dance routine.

A judging panel including Miss England finalist 2008 Chloe Marshall, Big Brother winner Craig Phillips and former Irish heavyweight boxing champion Joe Egan will select the winner.

Danielle went through to the finals after receiving the second highest amount of votes in the online heats.

Since qualifying, all finalists have raised money for eating disorder charity Beat. Enterprising Danielle has so far raised £700 through a sponsored walk and car boot sale.

Mum Tina, 41, said: “I hope that competitions like this show that the perfect size isn’t someone who is as skinny as a rake and looks ill. I’m so supportive of Danielle.”

After the competition Danielle plans to continue her fundraising for Beat and would like to hear from any businesses that would allow her to host a charity car wash. Her mum can be emailed at tina_de-bear@hotmail.co.uk See www.missnaturalcurves.co.uk and b-eat.co.uk for more information.