A SIDMOUTH teenager is hoping to celebrate her 19th birthday this weekend by taking a step closer to becoming Miss Student UK.

A SIDMOUTH teenager is hoping to celebrate her 19th birthday this weekend by taking a step closer to becoming Miss Student UK.

Catherine Wilkinson, will celebrate her special day on tomorrow after taking part in the competition's glitzy regional finals, hosted by supermodel turned businesswoman Caprice in Liverpool tonight.

Catherine, a former student at The King's School in Ottery St Mary, bagged straight A-grades along with her twin sister, Samantha, in last year's A-Levels and is now studying fashion, brand promotion and journalism at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

She said she has no idea what lies in store for her tomorrow and added: "The evening has four rounds which test students in student-like tasks as well as opportunities to have one to one with the judges."

"I'm in the dark over what I will have to do but my twin sister is coming down and I'm really looking forward to it. The after party will go on until midnight so I will turn 19 in style."

The competition, which emphasises a 'more than just a pretty face' ethos, tests students' intellect, creativity and determination through a series of online tasks, voting polls and live heats.