This Middlesex University student is among the front-runners to claim the crown of Miss Student UK.

Emily Holden, 20, from Hadley, is currently 13th in the first round of the competition to find the “most dynamic, most determined and most popular female student of the academic year.”

Ms Holden has proved a hit with the public vote and looks odds-on for the regional finals and says she wants to win to make her mum proud.

Students at the London School of Economics have protested against the “sexist” competition.

But Ms Holden said: “This competition far from objectifies women.

"Everyone has an opportunity in this competition to feel beautiful no matter what size, colour or race.”

If she wins she will contribute some of the £1,000 prize money to a landmine clearing charity.

To vote for Emily go to missstudent.com