THE weight debate has long been an issue affecting the modelling industry.

Stick thin models gracing the fashion scene have led to the criticism that a culture of eating and weight obsessions is being created among young followers.

For years Jade Smith battled with bulimia and was borderline anorexia- partly through personal issues but also because of her ambition to make it in the modelling industry.

"I got over my illness two years ago, it wasn't easy. It was one of the hardest times in my life," says Jade.

The 26-year-old from Clayton recalls the email she received from one agency saying at a size 10 she was too big.

Since then Jade has been determined to make a difference and is now hoping she can after making it through to the finals of the Miss Plus Size UK competition which take place on September 24 in Bournemouth.

Following her battle with bulimia, problems with her metabolism triggered her weight gain.

Jade recalls she battled with her weight when she was young but as she started to lose weight her problems with bulimia began.

"There was a pressure to be slim," says Jade.

But for Jade the situation went from bad to worse.

"One of the turning points was when I was making myself sick and blood was coming up. I was killing myself basically but then I realised I am who I am and I cannot change it, I have to start loving myself."

At her slimmest, Jade was a size 8 - she is now a size 24 to 26- and proud of her curves, so much so, she sees the pageant as a platform to show them off.

In June she will participate in a boot camp which she explains involves cat walk training and confidence ahead of the finals which are taking place in London in September.

"I have been looking for years for opportunities like this," says Jade.

To get through to the finals, Jade initially sent off a photograph and information about herself.

She was then invited to attend an interview in London. "I had to do a little catwalk, an interview and have our headshots taken," recalls Jade.

A week later she learned she had made it through to the finals. "I am really looking forward to it but I am still in a bit of shock!" she says.

The former Rhodesway School pupil is no stranger to modelling. Jade has previously entered other beauty competitions and participated in charity catwalk shows.

She also hails from a performing arts background. Jade attended stage school from the age of 10, played an extra in Heartbeat, the former sixties police drama set in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, and achieved a BTEC national diploma in performing arts at Bradford College.

"I had always wanted to be an actor or a model," says Jade.

But she recalls when she reached a size 14 she knew her chances of getting into modelling were slim.

"I knew that was it. I was getting turned down by modelling agencies and one sent me an email saying I was too big and that was when I was a size 10.

"I felt really upset and I had thought I had let myself go and I was really ashamed of myself."

Now Jade has learned to love herself for who she is.

"I don't weigh myself. I'm just happy with who I am.

"I have become more stronger and really enjoy doing what I enjoy. I love the catwalk and the make-up. It is building my confidence every time."

Reaching the finals of the Miss Plus Size UK has boosted Jade's confidence further and now she hopes to demonstrate how you can become a model - regardless of shape or size.

"I now love the way I look, I feel happy and confident at a size 24-26," says Jade.

"Out of this pageant I hope to gain more confidence, plus size modelling work, become a good role model as well as helping to change the fashion industry and, hopefully help eating disorder charities too."

Jade hopes her story will also inspire others to follow her lead. "I would love to make a difference. I have been through so much and I want to show you can do it from any background and any size."

Founder of the Miss Plus Size UK competition, Linda Koch recalls watching the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions when she was growing up and recognised a niche to set up a competition for women who weren't that size.

But she says the competition isn't about promoting obesity. It's promoting the fact that beauty isn't just on the outside but is also within.

"We are not promoting obesity. What we are doing is providing a platform for plus size women who to say 'look, I am plus size but I can win this competition. I am who I am but look further within, you are not just looking at the outside, you are looking at the whole package," says Linda.

Not everyone is a size zero and women can be overweight for a number of reasons.

"We have people from all walks of life doing this. I guess we try to get the message out saying you can still be active and you can still be beautiful," says Linda.

"There are so many different reasons why somebody can be overweight. Some people find it harder to shed weight than others, some are happy with the skin they are in."

Enabling women to be proud of, and showcase, their curves can be life-changing according to Linda.

"Even if they don't win they make lifelong friends. It changes their life. Some do modelling for us, they do so many things now as a result of being in the competition.

"It is a stepping stone to other things."