A determined young woman who grew up in care is battling to win a beauty contest to inspire other youngsters from difficult upbringings.

Tyanna Shama, 21, from Epsom, is one of 10 finalists in the Miss Surrey 2015 competition.

She hopes to win the crown on Friday, February 27, to become a role model for children who, like her, have grown up in care.

The office worker, who now lives in Chessington with her boyfriend and his family, was put into foster care after her father died when she was 11 and her disabled mother, who suffered from mental illness, could not look after Miss Shama and her two siblings.

Recalling that day, she said: "One day me and my sister were told to go to the headmaster’s office.

"There was a man there who told us to pack a weekend bag.

"Going through school, I felt really different. The only thing that kept me the same was my school uniform.

"A lot of kids in care do feel different because they are not going home and experiencing a normal family evening that other kids have.

"If kids see me win Miss Surrey I would give them motivation.

"I have never let any of the things that have happened affect me.

"In my life things have been hard but I always try to think positively.

"Use that hardship and turn it into a positive. It’s about the choices you make."

Miss Shama, whose father used to run Indian restaurant Shama’s opposite the Odeon cinema in Epsom’s Upper High Street for many years, aims to become a social worker and wants to work with charities helping troubled youngsters.

"I want to be that social worker who stays the extra two hours and takes them for an ice cream to see if they are OK. I could be that friend," she added.

Miss Surrey 2015 will be picked through a combination of interviews with the judges, a catwalk show, their fundraising efforts and public votes.

Miss Shama has so far raised £700 for charity Beauty with a Purpose by completing a zip wire challenge which involved jumping off a quarry in Cornwall.

To vote for Miss Shama text Misssurrey19 to 63333. The vote closes at 6pm on Friday.