A student is not only awaiting her A Level exam results in the next fortnight but also the news of whether she will be crowned London’s beauty queen.

Gemma Kirby, 19, from Stoneleigh, recently left Glyn School, in Ewell, after sitting her final exams, the results of which she hopes will land her a place at university to read biomedical sciences. 

But studying is not the only string to her bow.

Last month Miss Kirby entered a Miss London City pageant, for which applicants need to live within a 15 mile radius of the capital, and was delighted to be selected as a finalist for the competition.

If she wins at the end of this month, she will be crowned Miss London City and represent the area in the hunt for Miss Great Britain.

Miss Kirby, who wants to be a secondary school teacher, said: "Fashion was not something I was very interested in as I'm not a very girly girl but I am quite diverse and have lots of different activities in my life.

"I decided I needed a new challenge to push me out of my comfort zone and I saw an advert for the competition and decided to enter."

Ahead of the final, the teenager needs to raise £200 in sponsorship fees and has already reached half of that target. 

But she is still looking for more money and votes.

She added: "I want as much local support as possible because I am not just representing London, I am representing Epsom as it is where I have always lived.

"I am proud to say I am from here and that my town supports me."

To sponsor Miss Kirby, or for more information on how to vote for her email gemmakirby95@yahoo.co.uk.