A 23-YEAR-OLD from Fordingbridge who battles with a long-term health condition is competing for the Miss Hampshire crown.

Chloe Silcock was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2012 which causes pain all over the body.

She hopes to raise awareness of the long-term condition by competiting in the regional section of the Miss England competition.

Chloe said: “Life has been a real struggle with fibromyalgia, some days I can’t move from my bed and it just makes me feel hopeless, I get some bad cases of depression when I’m having a bad flare up which makes it more difficult to fight through the fibromyalgia.

“On good days I always make sure I do my make up and hair and I try and get out for a few hours, this of course makes me look perfectly normal, it’s not until I get home from being out that I really struggle, but people don’t see that side of it.”

She says she has to take eight different medications, most of which are painkillers.

“Doing pageants like Miss Hampshire gives me something to look forward too and to fight through the chronic pain for, I just have to accept that I will suffer for a few days afterwards. I try my best to stay positive, I know there are people out there less fortunate than myself, and I always try to remember that day-to-day, stay strong and keep smiling,” said Chloe.

Chloe has competed in other local pageants before and took part in Face of Beauty International in India last year.

“The Miss England contests are different, they’re about so much more than beauty and catwalks,” she added.

“It would mean the world to me to win the Miss Hampshire crown, it would be an absolute honour to represent our beautiful county at the Miss England national contest.

“We’re so lucky here in Hampshire to have the New Forest on our doorstep, and I really hope to do our county proud on the journey to the Miss Hampshire finals.”

She said: “I decided to compete because I had seen the impact the Miss England contests have had on other girls lives. Due to my health I’ve lost a lot of self confidence,and I’ve struggled with anxiety and making new friends. Miss Hampshire has really rebooted my confidence and I’ve met so many lovely girls which are local to me.”

The final is on April 22. To vote for Chloe text MISS HOME09 to 63333 texts cost 50p before 12pm on April 22.