A modelling competition organiser has been forced to apologise to a 17-year-old girl after her entry was withdrawn from the running at the 11th hour.

Ceren Yurumus, from Medway, was accidentally added to the voting following a mix-up which meant her photo and details were included along with the other entries who all met the 18-plus criteria to become the face of a Sittingbourne beauty training academy.

According to the teenager’s father, she was “distraught” to find her entry had been removed from the running just before 9pm on Sunday, only three hours before voting was supposed to close.

She was set to win the contest, having secured the majority of votes from the public.

Beauty Academy South East owner Tania Emery has apologised to Miss Yurumus, saying: “I am so sorry Ceren couldn’t win the competition, as it was 18-plus only, and her entry was included by accident.

-Tania Emery

“I am very sorry, it was a genuine mistake.”

“I know she’s very upset but there were so many under 18s who wanted to enter, including my daughter who is 14, who I couldn’t let enter, so to let her win would have been unfair.

“I have offered her a complimentary treatment or photoshoot to apologise and hope she will accept that.

The winner of the competition was Emily-Rose Kinslow, 19, from Hoo, who got 718 votes, and will become the face of the beauty academy for the next year.

Tania, 45, was pleased with the winner: “Emily has this great striking and edgy look, with her big black fringe, and I really like it.

“I’ve contacted her and we’re arranging her photoshoot for September.”

More than 20 women from across Kent had entered the competition.