Not being stick thin doesn’t mean that you can’t be beautiful, as modelling finalist Rachel James aims to prove.

As a competitor in the 2015 Model XL Plus competition, she’s well on the way to winning a modelling contract.

“I thought it would be nice to promote the more fuller figured lady,” Rachel, of Caulfield Road, East Ham, said.

“You don’t see many adverts with bigger women in them and even clothes shopping can sometimes be difficult.

“There is that pressure on women to lose weight and to be a size ten but I think I am a healthy weight for me and I want to share that with women and young girls.”

Rachel will represent East London in August’s final after biting the bullet and putting herself forward following years of wondering what if.

“It’s something that I’ve been thinking about doing for a while,” Rachel admitted. “I saw the competition advertised and I thought why don’t I apply.”

Currently a size 16, her weight has fluctuated greatly with her tipping the scales as a size 22 at her heaviest.

“I’ve always struggled with my weight from a young age but I’m quite happy with how I am now,” Rachel, a former Lister Community School pupil. said.

She is currently pregnant with her first child, who is due in April, but hopes to be raring to go in time for the competition which will include a homemade outfit round.