Anna Maria's crowned catwalk queen

Mar 8 2007 By Anna Jeys, Birmingham Mail

ERIN O'Connor, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Anna Maria Christoforou.

Three are household names in the modelling world and the fourth is well on her way.

Being the next supermodel is every girl's dream and teenager Anna Maria is living the dream after winning the fantastic Birmingham Mail competition.

The pretty 16-year-old was stunned when she scooped the title of the Birmingham's Top Model and now faces a bright future.

The competition could change Anna Maria's life forever as she hopes to follow in the footsteps of the Midlands' own Erin O' Connor and other catwalk queens. She won an amazing prize worth more than £4,000 when readers picked her from more than 280 wannabes.

A staggering 14,000 people voted in the competition, sponsored by Solihull-based hairdresser Theo Georgio.

Anna Maria, who is studying to be a beauty therapist at Birmingham College of Food and Tourism, now has a chance of breaking into the business after scooping a modelling contract worth £1,500 and a year's free hairdressing.

The Stourbridge girl, who lives with her parents and three sisters, said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out, it is just amazing. I didn't think I would win it but I got my whole family and all my friends to vote and I have a big family, so that helped. There were so many pretty girls in the competition so it was incredible to win."

She added: "I was going to be a beauty therapist but I would much rather be a model full-time, so I hope it works out.

"I have always wanted to be a model. Having the photo shoot and makeover gave me a taste of what it could be like.

"My family and friends are over the moon for me. It is a great opportunity."

Sponsor Theo Georgio, who also has a salon in Sutton Coldfield, said: "The competition was a great success. We had a lot of entrants and a great response. Anna Maria is a very pretty girl and hopefully it will be a year to remember for her."