TWO Furness beauties got the chance to star in a professional photo shoot when they impressed the judges of a top modelling competition.

Sophie Edwards, 18, and 16-year-old Emma Porteous jetted off to the sun drenched shores of Fuerteventura for the glamorous shoot.

Both girls had been contestants in the Kells Modelling Competition, which this year saw 120 aspiring models battle it in a series of fashion shows and themed photo sessions over four months.

Emma, who lives in Kirkby-in Furness, was crowned the winner of the under-18s category.

“I was delighted to win,” she said. “The photoshoot was amazing.”

Meanwhile, Ulverston art student Sophie was runner up in the over-18s category but was invited on the trip when the winner, Mel Patton, 18, was unable to attend.

“Mel got signed by a top modelling agency after getting noticed in the competition,” said Dawn Kells, director of the Barrow-based photography company Kells Exclusive Images. “She got a part in Hollyoaks and a job as Schwarzkopf hair model so she wasn’t able to go. I contacted Sophie, who came second, to see if she wanted to take her place and of course jumped at the chance.”

During the week away, the girls took part in themed photo shoots in various locations including the beach, the sea, and in the gardens of their four-star hotel.

Sophie, who is studying art at Lancaster and Morecambe College , said: “I hope to go to university to study fashion so it was great to see things from the other side of the camera and get an insight into how a professional photo shoot is organised. I enjoyed visiting all the different locations, it was much better than having your picture taken in a studio.”

She said she was delighted with her photos, adding: “Hopefully in the future I can keep up the modelling and have a career in fashion on the side.”

The its launch four years ago, the Kells Modelling Competition has grown from strength to strength and, this year, Ms Kells was contacted by the organisers of Miss England and asked to organise the Miss Cumbria contest.

She will start her search for the county’s loveliest ladies in January and anyone who thinks they have what it takes can contact the Kells team now to register their interest.

Ms Kells is also recruiting models for a charity calendar -Cumbria Calendar Girls.

For more information visit www.kellsphotos.com or email kellsimages@btinternet.com.