A 19-year-old from Oxshott has been crowned the winner of Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model.

Letitia Herod fought off competition from thousands of wannabe models to land a contract with international agency Models 1, a cover and fashion shoot with Company magazine and a contract with Revlon.

She will start her career in the fashion industry by fronting an international campaign with Miss Selfridge.

Miss Herod will then begin her model lifestyle by jetting off to the Atlantis Palm in Dubai before returning to her very own complimentary luxury apartment in London.

The youngster from Oxshott was named the winner by judges Elle Macpherson, Julien Macdonald, Tyson Beckford and Whitney Port on the show on Monday, October 1.

Miss Herod said: “I feel on top of the world. It is so unexpected and a dream come true. A door has been opened for me and with a lot of luck and hard work the sky is the limit.

“It is so exciting and I am so thankful for the opportunity that has been given to me.”

Miss Herod follows in the footsteps of seven previous winners who have gone on to have great success in the industry.