Meet the Havant trans woman aiming for a spot on Britain's Next Top ModelÂ

Becoming one of the contestants on Britain's Next Top Model is just one of Amber Destiny Jo's goals to become a role model in the local LGBTQ+ community.

The 20-year-old from Havant said: '˜I want to show other trans women that they can do anything. 

'˜I was inspired by Talulah-Eve who is transgender and was on last year's series and I have not had surgery or hormones so I want to be a role model for others like me and show we can still be feminine without all that.'

Amber decided to become a woman when she was 16 years old after coming out as gay when she was younger.

She said: '˜At school we did a fashion show and the teacher thought it would be good to get the boys involved as well.

'˜I had my hair and makeup done and when I was in a dress I turned to my teacher and said I had never felt more comfortable and that I think I should have been born a woman.

'˜My teacher asked me if I had ever heard of trans women before and from then I have been Amber.'

Amber, who wants breast surgery and hormone treatments in the future, explained she has faced a lot bullying and online abuse.

She said: '˜I live in a community where I feel as though I am the only one like me and people are not tolerant of the choices I have made and I have faced lots of abuse.

'˜I have had mental breakdowns and tried to commit suicide because of how those people made me feel but I have found confidence to be who I am.'

In the future Amber would like to open a hostel in Portsmouth to give members of the LGBTQ+ community a place to go.

She said: '˜If I were to win a modelling contract, I would like to use my money to have somewhere for people to go who are facing abuse or have been made homeless because they want to be who they are.

'˜I am ambitious and would also like to sponsor other trans women to enter beauty pageants because we are all beautiful and we all deserve recognition.'