A ten-year-old girl has shaken off her doubts about her hearing loss to be selected to represent Watford at Little Miss Teen GB.

Scarlett Smith, who lives in Bushey, was born with sensory neural hearing loss and throughout her childhood, she has been conscious of the digital hearing aids that she has to wear saying she felt "different".

But Scarlett has been able to overcome her worries thanks to support from her new specialist school, Knightsfield, along with children’s charity The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children, which has helped boost her self-esteem.

So much so, that she applied for the Little Miss Teen Great Britain competition, and will be travelling to Blackpool in October as a finalist.

Scarlett says she felt different to other children but is now enjoying life after receiving support.

Scarlett says she felt "different" to other children but is now enjoying life after receiving support.

Scarlett said: "One of my dreams is to be in a beauty pageant. And I love dancing and singing too. I felt different because of my hearing aid but now I feel so much happier at my school.

"I'm not different anymore and I have lots of new friends who play and joke around me.

"I can’t wait for October and meeting new friends. It’s going to be so much fun."

Scarlett says she hopes to inspire others with her story.

Her mother, Charlene said: "I feel very uplifted by Scarlett and I genuinely believe she will go on to change the lives of children who like her felt they were different or not understood. I think she is incredible."

Scarlett pictured with her mum Charlene

Scarlett pictured with her mum Charlene

Scarlett is raising money for Little Miss GB's partner charity, Together for Short Lives which is a registered charity for children's palliative care

She has so far raised £135 via her fundraising page.

Teenagers from across the UK will compete for the crown of Little Miss Teen Great Britain, with the winner walking away wth £250, dresses, a sparkling sash, crown and more.