Teenage Pools fan Ellie is all set for catwalk debut

Ellie Tyers was thrilled when she heard she was through to the finals of Miss Tees Valley after entering the online competition for a bit of fun.

The 16-year-old A-level student sent her photograph off during her lunch break and was stunned to be the only Hartlepool girl chosen to go through to the final.

The competition, which will be held in October this year, will be a black tie event at the Swan Hotel in Billingham.

Ellie’s delighted and proud mum, Emma Tyers, 34, said the teenager has never done anything like this before and was only entered on a whim.

She said: “She literally only entered for a laugh. She was having her lunch at college and saw the competition on Facebook, so sent her picture in.

“I didn’t know about it until she messaged me saying she had been chosen, she was crying and I was crying.

“I am really proud obviously. People have always said she was bonny, from being a baby really. Of course I think she is beautiful, but you think that’s just because you are a mam.”

Ellie, who lives with her mum, dad David, and siblings, Lucy, 11, David, seven, and two-year-old Isla, in Golden Meadows, will now have to start rehearsing her catwalk skills.

Ellie will have to strut her stuff in cocktail wear, evening wear and eco-wear, something on a recycling theme which represents the place they live.

Emma said: “The whole family is Pools crazy so she is going to do something on a Pools theme.”

The teenager, who is studying English literature, history and psychology, hopes to become a psychologist after leaving education.

Each of the Miss Tees Valley contestants have been asked to pick a charity to support and Ellie has chosen Zoe’s Place, the baby hospice, which is based in Middlesbrough.