A CLECKHEATON girl who has battled against mobility issues which left her wheelchair bound for over a year is hoping to stroll down the catwalk as the winner of two beauty pageants.

Model Holly Whaling, 16, of Cleckheaton, who suffers from hypermobility and has had operations on both her legs, is aiming to overcome this obstacle.

Holly, a former pupil at Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton, has recently made it to the semi-finals of Miss Teen Great Britain 2022.

She is also a finalist in the Teen Top Model Girl UK 2021, which will be held on October 10 in Runcorn, Cheshire.

Holly was very active in both dancing and gymnastics before was diagnosed with hypermobility in her right leg when she was 12.

"Hypermobility means you have flexible joints, and they move more than they should," explained her mum, Emma Whaling.

The iliotibial (IT) band in her right leg became too tight and required surgery.

After having the surgery and spending six months in a wheelchair, Holly recovered and went back to gymnastics, but then got more bad news when she was diagnosed with the same problem in her left leg.

Recovery was much longer the second time and she spent more than a year in a wheelchair.

Holly was due to have treatment last year but when the country was locked down, there were delays due to Covid and she had her operation in November.

"I thought I might not be able to walk again," said Holly. "I could not stand up on my own.

"I still can't run or jump now but I can walk."

But as she struggled with her mobility, Holly started to focus on other things and began modelling at the age of 14.

"I've always loved being in front of the camera," said Holly.

She also started acting and began learning the trade by joining Matt Zina Acting.

The teenager, who now attends Leeds College, was very good and has been chosen to join the Matt Zina's academy as an elite mentored actor.

Her mum Emma is very proud of her daughter and was thrilled Holly has made the finals of Teen Top Model Girl UK and the semi-finals of Miss Teen Great Britain. The finals of the latter will be held in Blackpool next year.

"It's fantastic news," said Emma. "She's worked incredibly hard to get to this point.

"It's built her confidence and kept her motivated."

Holly is now dreaming of the catwalk.

"That feeling you get when you physically walk down the catwalk would be great," said Holly. "That would be a really good achievement for me."