A SIXTEEN-year-old who had to switch schools because of self esteem issues will now represent her town nationally as Miss Teen Bury 2016.

Amy Brooks had to move to Woodhey High School when she was 13 after suffering from a lack of confidence.

However, she is the princess of Bury, hoping to wow crowds at the Miss Teen GB grand final in Blackpool with her beauty and her brains.

The teenager from Tottington said her mum encouraged her to enter the competition. “She said I should enter because she wanted me to see that I was beautiful and prove to me that I have lots to be confident about,” said Amy.

“My mum is so supportive and I’m so glad now that she recommended doing it. She is really proud of me, of course, but I think she is pleased for me more than anything. I never thought I would win, there were so many amazingly pretty girls there, it feels amazing.”

She said her self-esteem has improved as a result of entering the competition in October 2015 and she was “so excited” when she found out she had been selected to represent Bury.

The grand final, which will be held at The Globe at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on October 25, is about much more than beauty and fashion.

Alongside the catwalk rounds will be an interview with a panel of judges to test the contestants’ mettle and discover their interests and skills.

Amy said her main qualities were her bubbly personality, her open-mindedness and the fact that she loves making new friends.