A HAWORTH mum says she hopes to be a role model for other plus size women after being crowned Miss Voluptuous International.

Amy Walker took the inaugural world title – representing the UK – at finals in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 34-year-old said she entered her first Miss Voluptuous pageant in 2019 – "with no idea what I was really doing" – and finished in the top five.

"I stepped off the stage then and knew I had found 'home'," said Amy.

"Miss Voluptuous pageants pride themselves on being an empowerment programme for plus size women. They're not 'beauty contests', as many people view pageants. The whole system's marking relies on what you do as a person behind the scenes.

"However it does give the opportunity for plus size women to feel empowered and have their moment on stage. In a world that tries to shame those that do not fit a certain body type, Miss Voluptuous rebels against that."

Amy struggled with her body image throughout her teenage years, which also led to mental health issues.

"There was no one that looked like me on television and no representation in magazines," she said.

"I was always the biggest in my group of friends. I took on the role of the joker to help hide the pain that I suffered.

"I struggled so badly with my mental health that it led to self harm.

"Those struggles continued into adult life, when I finally reached out for help.

"I decided that something needed to change. I attended a body confidence workshop that changed my outlook completely."

Amy has now gained various mental health qualifications, and is a youth suicide prevention advocate.

"I want to use my title to amplify my youth suicide prevention advocacy but also to smash stereotypes," she said.

"I ice skate to keep fit and cycled the length of Britain virtually – live on Facebook – during the pandemic, raising over £2,000 for local Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands.

"I hope to show the world that fat does not equal unfit! All bodies deserve love and respect no matter what shape, size or colour. There is a direct link between negative body image and mental health and this needs to be discussed more.

"Being a plus size woman always comes with negativity, but I'm happy to take-up space figuratively and literally to be the role model that teenage me needed."