A TEENAGE charity champion who has battled anxiety and lifelong health problems now has her sights set on recognising local heroes.

Leah Canning has launched her own 'Inverclyde Inspirational Awards' in a bid to give back to her community.

The ambitious 18-year-old former beauty pageant queen, who is a tireless volunteer and top enterprise pupil, says she wants to recognise achievements of unsung heroes.

Former Inverclyde Academy pupil Leah has just turned down offers of university to take on a modern apprenticeship with Scottish Qualification Authority, after impressing bosses during a tough recruitment process.

She says it was all made possible by her time on the catwalk and the support of all the strong women in her life, including her late great-nan.

School leaver Leah said: "I couldn't have done any of this without the skills I learned taking part in beauty pageants.

"I learned so much about public speaking, confidence and interview skills.

"It definitely helped me in my interview with the SQA.

"I have also had so many strong women in my life like my mum and my nan.

"But I am inspired by my great-nan Margaret Canning.

"She battled so many health problems but never gave up and I will never give up."

Last year the teenager spoke openly about her battle with anxiety and panic attacks, which left her hospitalised.

She also continually takes on social media bullies online, calling out trolls.

Leah was given little chance of survival when she was born three months premature and her mum Lynette was told that she was unlikely to make it.

Since then Leah has proved everyone wrong, and has battled through many barriers including hyper mobility caused by her premature birth.

As a youngster she took up beauty pageantry and was signed up by Glasgow based Models and Beauty Pageants.

She went to be crowned Miss Teen Scotland and Miss Queen UK, as well as mentoring younger contestants and taking up charity fundraising.

She has many supporters, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Leah is now accepting nominations for her Inspirational Inverclyde Awards, with the final taking place on September 28, sponsored by Louise Thompson of Cupcake Dreams Events and Party Planner.

The categories are Young Inspirational Inverclyde Citizen, Inspirational Inverclyde Citizen, Senior Inspirational Inverclyde Citizen, Inspirational Charity Organisation Of The Year, Inspirational Community Organisation, Inspirational Community Event, Inspirational journalist of the year and Inspirational photographer.

Nominations must be in by August 2, and they can be made by visiting Inverclyde Inspirational Awards facebook page or emailing inverclydeinspirationalawards@gmail.com