AN Otley woman is gracing newsagents shelves - after winning a national modelling competition.

Chloe Ewart, 24, not only won Marie Claire women's magazine's competition, but will also become the face of High Street shop The Body Shop.

And in the October edition of Marie Claire, out now, she features in a spread along with the five other finalists.

But for Chloe, who in a couple of months time is taking off to Australia to take part in a six week conservation project, it has all been a bit of a dream.

"I can't believe it. It feels like a dream and I might still wake up," she said.

"Just getting here is fantastic. But my biggest achievement is yet to come. I'm going to Brisbane, Australia in November to do a voluntary conservation project for six weeks.

"I'll be planting trees, collecting wildlife data and preserving riverbeds. I feel very brave because I'll be going on my own, which is very exciting.

"I've always been interested in the environment and wildlife, and I think it's important for the planet's survival that people do what they can for animals and endangered species, especially with forests being cut down every day. I've always wanted to go to Australia and I thought this project was a good way of combining travelling with doing something useful."

Chloe, who describes herself as more fleshier than the average model, never thought about becoming a model and is more interested in becoming the next JK Rowling - creator of children's favourite Harry Potter.

"I've never thought about a modelling career because I don't think I've got the right looks.

"First of all, there's my height - I'm only 5ft 4ins. I'm also a bit fleshier, most models are really skinny - and I'm half Chinese."

Chloe, a secretarial temp, said she had been inspired by the model Kate Moss.

"I like Kate Moss because she's little. I think she made a real breakthrough with height restrictions which has made it possible for girls like me to get into modelling."

Meanwhile, Chloe has an unusual taste in male celebrities.

"I'd love to go out with Ozzy Osbourne, so long as his wife Sharon didn't mind. He'd have me in stitches all day, it would be 24 hour entertainment."

But the future, Chloe is concentrating on writing a children's book.

"I've always really loved writing and am working on a children's book at the moment that's aimed at seven to ten year olds.

"It's about a bear cub whose mum has injured herself and he has to learn how to catch salmon. It's a bit of an adventure story with some factual stuff in as well. As it's nature orientated, I am researching bears and their habits. My ultimate dream is to be the next JK Rowling."

Nicola Moulton, Marie Claire's deputy beauty editor, said: "Chloe has everything we were looking for in the winner, a great personality, a strong, interesting face and a real sense of presence. She literally lights up a room when she walks in - we're really pleased for her."