Teenage beauty Francesca Bayford is a step closer to achieving her dream of becoming of a professional model. The 13-year-old has made it through the opening rounds of the 2009 Teen Princesses competition. Organised in partnership with the Philip Green Memorial Trust - a charity set up by retired businessman Cyril Paskin following the death of his friend Philip Green - the beauty pageant is part of the Miss Teen Queen UK national competition.

Francesca, a pupil at King Solomon High School in Barkingside, Essex, is now relying on the public vote to help her reach the final. The winner will have the chance of being signed up by London-based Rage Model agency. She tells People: "I love modelling and I hope that I can make it to the final." Does she feel a pressure to be skinny? "I eat healthily but I am not going to give up food just to be a size zero."

To help Francesca make the final, text "Francesca Bayford" to 84205