A CIRENCESTER teenager is set to take the modelling world by storm after beating thousands of rivals to make the finals of the country’s leading modelling competition.

Eleanor Trocki, 16, who lives in the Watermoor area of Cirencester, has seen off competition from thousands of other aspiring models to make it in to the final 16 of this year’s Top Model UK.

The annual search, which is now in its eighth year, scours the country to find the next person destined for a life on the catwalk.

Eleanor, known to her friends as Ellie and who studies at Stroud High Sixth Form, told the Standard: “It’s just a really exciting process for me at the moment. It’s going great, I really love getting my hair and makeup done by somebody else.”

The 16-year-old, who has previously modelled at Cheltenham Fashion Week, now spends a number of weekends away from home where she is being coached for the grand finals that are held in April.

Supportive mum Ricky Trocki said that her daughter’s modelling career had taken the family by surprise.

She said: “We never expected any of this to ever happen because Eleanor’s really academic. But she was just approached by a scout one day and this has just sort of evolved from there.”

Previous winners of Top Model UK have gone on to massive critical acclaim and graced the front covers of magazines such as Elle and Vogue while strutting their stuff at London Fashion Week.

Despite the pressure of the competition, Ellie has vowed to keep her cool. She said: “I’m not really nervous about being out there in front of everyone. That’s what it’s all about really – being watched by other people.”

Ellie, who was a talented Irish dancer before taking up modelling, has received support and encouragement from the people closest to her.

She said: “All my friends think that it’s great and my family have been so supportive, they come with me on all of my shoots and bits for the competition.”

People can vote for Eleanor by visiting www.topmodeluk.com . All the money raised from the vote will be donated to the charity Children with Cancer UK.

The grand finale of Top Model UK takes place in London at the Hilton Metropole Hotel on Saturday, April 5.