An aspiring plus-size model has been featured in a Channel 5 documentary called On Benefits: Got Talent?

Despite battling depression, Kimberley Hogben, of Granville Street, Dover, is hoping to launch a modelling career.

Miss Hogben has been on benefits for 25 years, receiving £100,000 during that time, according to the documentary.

She said: “I’ve been on benefits for 25 years and I suspect there’s a lot of people out there saying that’s disgusting but you don’t know what I go through when I get depressed.

“I don’t feel bad being on benefits. People think you’re a scrounger but I know people who have mental illnesses who won’t say they are on benefits because they feel bad.”

She said everyone deals with depression in different ways, and for her it meant she could not work.

The 53-year-old modelled in the Sunday Sport in her 20s, and since then has been trying to re-kindle her career.

“I’ve been on benefits for 25 years and I suspect there’s a lot of people out there saying that’s disgusting but you don’t know what I go through when I get depressed." - Kimberley

She said: “Even if nothing comes of it, at least I’ve tried. I’ve had some people get in touch asking for pictures and trying to take advantage of me.

“I think ‘oh great, I’ve got something’.

“You get your hopes up high, but then you just have to pick yourself up and carry on.”

The former St Edmund’s pupil who has an online following of 312 fans, moved back to Dover from London 10 years ago, and has worked at Tesco and as a catering assistant on ferries in the past.

She has suffered with depression since she was 21, and this worsened when she lost her parents three years ago.

She said: “Some days I can be alright, other days not. It’s really hard. They were my best friends.”

Her mum, Betty, died aged 89 and dad Eric was 81. They passed away within seven months of each other.

The documentary is filmed in Dover, and features shots of the White Cliffs, castle and beach.

Since airing last Thursday night, Miss Hogben has received some good feedback from friends but also negative comments.

She said: “I’ve had some bad comments but I’ve just got to ignore it.”