A MODEL is celebrating after making it through to a national final despite only just starting her career.

Victoria Ogbodo, from Kingsway in North Finchley, will be taking to the catwalk next month in the final of Top Model UK, which aims to find new talent in the modelling industry.

Miss Ogbodo isn't the stereotypical model – she has a Masters degree in pharmaceutical science and worked as a scientist for industry giants GlaxoSmithKline.

But after losing her job, she decided to try something different.

She said: “I was out of work and finding it hard to get another job, so I thought, 'Why not?'.

“Despite my background being science, modelling was secretly what I always wanted to do, but I never thought I would have the confidence.

“I'd like to be an inspiration to women of all ages, all over the world and I'm living proof that one can have both beauty and brains."

As part of making it through to the final on Friday, March 25, the rookie also got to model at last week's London Fashion Week for five different designers.

She added: “I got to do two big shows, so that was a really good starting experience for someone just beginning their career.”

And she admitted to nerves about her performance in the Top Model UK competition, adding she “never expected to get this far”.

She said: “After I entered online I got invited to a panel and they selected me to get through to the final – I do feel like I've been thrown in at the deep end.

“It's also a longer catwalk than I've ever done before - but I'm very excited about it and I'm looking forward to it.”

“This is somebody fulfilling their dreams and going after their passion.”

The organisers of the final are hoping to raise money for cancer charity Children With Leukaemia with a public vote. Click here to cast your vote for Miss Ogbodo.