A 25-year-old who lost seven stone to become Miss Kent has set her sights on educating those with body image troubles.

Kobe Emelonye used to drink more than a litre of Lucozade a day and suffered from depression and anxiety.

At 19 stone, the mental health counsellor decided it was time to make a change.

She cut out fatty and high-carb foods, ate a more sensible diet and started going to the The Gym in Commercial Way, Strood, not only to lose weight but boost her self-confidence.

In April, she entered – and won – the title of Miss Kent and has taken it upon herself to help others who have confidence and body issues by developing an educational programme.

She said: “The programme is to not allow certain images you see to influence you.

“There are a lot of young people who are not confident in their skin.

“It is something I want to help with and get them educated about body confidence and image.

“When I was about 16, I suffered from depression and anxiety.

“When my dad passed away I started to put weight on, which made me feel uncomfortable about myself.

“I wanted to do something about it.

“When I first went to the gym it wasn’t about weight, it was about self-confidence.

“When I was losing weight I changed my mentality.”

Kobe, of Calcroft Avenue, Greenhithe, added: “My aim is to let people know that they can achieve anything they want to achieve.

“Winning Miss Kent was a great success because it was something I thought I was never going to be able to do.

“Winning the title reminded me that I can do what I want.

“It is about being confident and accepting who you are, and if you’re not, go and change it in the right way.”