Wallington's Lauren Lambert has won TV's Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model.

Miss Lambert, 23, fended off competition from two other finalists to take the top spot in last night's show.

The win means she has been given a modelling contract with a top agency and will appear on the cover of the next issue of popular women's magazine Company.

Miss Lambert moved to the UK from St Lucia aged 10 but had a turbulent upbringing that included being kicked out of her home when she was just 15. She spent several days sleeping rough but told the Sutton Guardian the experience made her stronger.

Your Local Guardian: Lauren Lambert in the wedding dress episode of Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model

Miss Lambert takes part in the show

She was one of the early favourites in the competition despite being 6ft 1in - taller than many models.

She had to come through several rounds featuring a range of modelling challenges and won after regularly impressing judges Dannii Minogue and Elle Macpherson.