A girl from Deal who had never stepped on a catwalk before, has beaten experienced beauty pageant contestants to be crowned Teen Face of The Year 2014.

Kerys Squire, 15, of Allenby Avenue, Deal was awarded her crown and sash at the Azur in Hastings last night, after a long day of competing.

She was judged throughout the day in several different categories, including a twenty minute interview with the event co-ordinator Lucie Hied and a second interview on stage in front of an audience and five judges, including entertainer Chico and the current Face of the Globe, Fern Maxwell.

Miss Squire paraded in three outfits; a pink Face of the Globe T-shirt, an aqua coloured Jovani cocktail dress and a green fishtail dress by Macduggal.

The teen also won the people’s choice category, with more than 319 Facebook photo likes.

Miss Squire will now travel, with all expenses paid, to Disneyland Paris in October, to compete for the title of Face of The Globe.

The Castle Community College pupil, only entered the competition after persuasion from her friends and family, who all travelled to support her at the weekend.

She has also gained the support of stars from the ITV2 reality show The Only Way is Essex. Harry Derbidge voted for the teen in the people’s choice category and Frankie Essex tweeted the young beauty both before and after the pageant.

Kerys’ mum, Lisa Hale said: “She was the underdog. She has never done anything like this before.”

Miss Squire said: “I dropped out of drama because I was scared of being on stage. I don’t know how I did this.”

“I was really nervous. On stage, I kept laughing and smiling because I could hear my sister cheering so loudly for me.”

“I was so shocked when they said my name. My mum cried, then I cried.”

“Thank you so much for all the support and messages. I did this to get my confidence up. If I can do it, any girl can.”