A SUPERMARKET manager is set to put Wrexham on the map later this year by competing in a 'Top Model' competition.

Laura Marie, originally from Oswestry but now living in Wrexham, only began modelling in September of last year.

But, the 29-year-old is already making a name for herself having been published in seven different magazines, including in France, America as well as the UK.

Laura is now set to take on some of the UK's top competition when she competes in the Top Model event in London in September.

The event raises money for the Top Model Foundation which supports sick children and children in need, as well as their families.

Competing models must sell tickets in order to help raise money for the charity.

Laura explained: "I need to try and sell as many tickets as possible to people to come and watch me on the runway."

Laura added: "I applied online and I had to send in my measurements and photographs. I received an email to tell me that I’d been successful and that my application had been accepted a couple of weeks later.

"I’ve not taken part in Top Model before but I’m really excited to walk down the runway and experience it all. I was a finalist in UK Calendar Girls last year (2022) after making it through numerous of rounds via a voting system.

"I then went on to become a finalist in Playboy's 'become the face of playboys new lingerie line' competition after another voting system and getting through numerous rounds at the start of 2023."

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Picture by Kevin Sheldon shows Laura during one of her photoshoots.

Talking about how she became involved in modelling in the first place, Laura said: "I have only been modelling since September 2022. Since my experiences with the other competitions, I decided to take up modelling as I really enjoyed doing it.

"I started modelling as a hobby but also to boost my self esteem. It's something that has interested me for years but I've never been brave enough to take the leap until recently.

"I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking about starting as it has really boosted my self confidence. Starting from zero and building something that could turn into a career one day is something I'm really proud of.

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"You have to take care of yourself, to make sure you look your best at all times. I’m a single mum of three so finding time to attend shoots can be challenging at times."

Asked about what's next for her in 2023, Laura, who has worked at Aldi for 10 years, said: "I am running a half marathon in Lake Vyrnwy in September. This will be my biggest run yet having only done 5k and 10k runs so far.

"I have been asked to feature in a pod cast and a music video and I have also been invited to a photoshoot in Lanzarote in November with an amazing photographer published by Vogue.

"I’ve modelled clothing for a small clothing brand called Mi Amor and I’ve just been approached by another new company called kg_pretty_boutique on Instagram to model their clothing in exchange for free clothing which is amazing."