Scarlett Caterall, 21, has been shorlisted to be among the final 20 contestants in Britain's Next Top Model 5, which will be televised on the digital channel Living in January.

And the former Warwickshire College student, who describes her look as "a cross between Lily Cole and Christina Ricci", believes this could be her final shot at getting into her ideal job having posed for magazines before but never being offered a contract.

Scarlett said: It is not something I have always wanted to do but it is something I really enjoy.

"The work changes every single day - it is very unpredictable.
"Age is incredibly important - If you are not in the industry by the time you are 23 or 25 then that is it.

"Also I am only 5ft 7ins so i have to work harder for those extra inches I don't have."

Having an A-level in drama will help Scarlett get into the role for the show and lose all her inhibitions, she said.

But she also has had to overcome the sadness of losing her father Brett to cancer last year.

Scarlett said: "It has been good to take my mind off things and it's nice to have something to focus on.

"But I'm really enjoying it - all the auditions have definitely been worth it."

Only one place remains in the show and Scarlett must have the most votes out of the four remaining entrants in an online poll which closes on December 16.

But she is pleased to have been picked out of thousands of women and to have made it this far.

Scarlett said: "It has been such a good thing to be part of.
"Even if I don't win I am proud to get this far.

"It is good experience that could lead to something else - I just want to open as many doors as I can."

To vote for Scarlett visit http://www.livingtv.co.uk/shows/BNTM5-vote/