FIFTEEN-year-old Megan Rose Wilson is "happy and excited" about her place in the Miss Cumbria 2019 finals.

The Backbarrow teenager has coped with five years of chronic fatigue and illness.

Her mum, Kath, told the Gazette how proud she was of her daughter, who makes regular journeys to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital for tests.

"She's a beautiful girl inside and out," said Mrs Wilson, a former social worker.

She said Megan Rose's place in the finals had been a bright spot for the family during difficult times. Dad Andrew, a builder, has faced cancer, and Mrs Wilson has MS and a heart condition.

Megan Rose entered the pageant after seeing it on Facebook. She has been raising money for Variety, the Children's Charity, Miss Cumbria's chosen good cause.

Although the teen is a pupil at Cartmel Priory School, her fragile health and frequent hospital visits mean she is taught five hours per week at the Hospital and Home Tuition Service, in Kendal.

Megan Rose recently held a charity afternoon tea there and has also run an online raffle. She thanked the prize-givers for their generosity.

"It's given me something else to focus on, to know I'm doing good," she added.