AN ASPIRING model from Kent is juggling catwalk dreams alongside swimming with great white sharks.

Amy Bryce , of Underdown Lane, Herne Bay, is about to begin a two-year Higher National Diploma in animal science as she climbs the next rung of the ladder towards her dream job of marine biologist.

But all the while the 19-year-old is taking steps towards a career in modelling and has recently made it through to the next round of a competition run by national modelling agency Divinity.

“I was one of around 100 out of 15,000 applicants to be selected for the southern heats of the contest in October,” says Amy, a former pupil of St Philip Howard, Herne Bay Juniors and Herne Bay High.

“The final 30 will then make it through to the grand final in London on November 4 to become the New Face of Divinity Models.”

And Gazette readers can help Amy by voting for her – see the details in the box below.

“I have grown in up in Herne Bay in Kent, the 'garden of England’,” she explained. “So that must make me an English country rose or maybe a rosebud waiting to bloom.

“I’m very proud of my roots, and if I got through to the finals there are two issues I would love to promote: one is Herne Bay, and the other is that girls do not need to be size zero.

“I just think that is a bad image for younger kids – seeing models who don’t really eat. You can still eat healthily and be slim. But if you don’t eat you have no energy and that’s definitely unhealthy.”

Amy, who is 5ft 11in tall, added: “In my soul I long to be a famous model so that I can have a voice for other young girls who dream the same dream.”

Amy is aware that the path a professional model must follow can sometimes be a slippery slope.

She explains: “Modelling is something I have wanted to do since I was little but you can only be a model for so long.

“I need the grades behind me, I need the education, and my plan is to fit modelling around my education.

“I have wanted to do marine biology since I was six when I went to Sea World in Florida and I swam with dolphins. After my HND I’m hoping to go to Greenwich University to study and one day swim with great white sharks.”

You can visit Amy’s website at www.amybryce.com