A Maldon beauty says she has beaten the bullies after becoming a finalist in a national pageant.

Chloe Reeves, 17, is one of just 30 to be picked out of 3,000 hopefuls to take part in the Miss Teen British Isles 2015 this Sunday in Liverpool.

But not so long ago, bullies knocked her confidence.

The former Plume School pupil was in Year 10 when she switched to Maltings Academy in Witham because of bullying.

She said: “I have come a long way since then.

“This competition has boosted my confidence a lot.

“Everyone always called me ugly and this has proved I’m not ugly because I’m representing Essex."

Chloe is currently working as a waitress at the Royal Oak pub in Hazeleigh and is also being sponsored by the pub.

Her mum, self-employed Lisa Reeves, 49, said: “I’m very proud.

“She’s put herself out there which I think is a brave thing to do considering what she has been through."