A NORTHWICH schoolgirl is hoping to follow in the stylish footsteps of her favourite top models after taking part in her first catwalk show.

Teenager Milita Lotay-Shafiq was a contestant in this year’s Top Model event, dubbed the ‘number one professional model search’.

The St Nicholas Catholic High School pupil walked in front of industry scouts at London’s luxury Amba Hotel Charing Cross on The Strand last month.

The 16-year-old, who is currently studying for her GCSEs, walked in two runway categories.

The first, called self-styled, was inspired by her favourite label Victoria’s Secret and saw her match a white slip dress with white open-toed boots and feathered wings.

“I was really nervous before I walked,” she said. “My boots were just a little bit too big and I kept thinking, ‘don’t trip, don’t trip’. But once I got out there, it was amazing. I absolutely loved it.”

By the time it came to her second walk, for which she modelled a dress by designer LA Kola, she’d found her groove.

“They put me in high heels, which did make me nervous, but they were a really good fit and it just happened naturally. After the first walk I wasn’t so nervous, so I really enjoyed this one.

“They say that lots of people who want to be a model get really put off once they get on the catwalk, but I really loved it. After this, I just knew it’s what I want to do.

“The judges said I had a really natural walk and said I have potential to make a career out of this.”

With the Top Model experience now firmly under her belt, Milita is concentrating on revising for her exams and plans to study either art, dance, performing arts or media studies at South Cheshire College from September.

However, she has her sights firmly set on a modelling career and will be attending open castings over the summer.

She said: “I’m in a bit of a limbo position just now. I’m too old for kids modelling and a bit too young for adult modelling but I know this is what I want to do.

“I really admire the Victoria’s Secret models. It was watching those catwalk shows when I was about 13 really made me want to get into modelling. I really love Kelly Gale and Gigi Hadid – if I could be anywhere near as successful as them that would be amazing.”