A Sheerness woman hopes to give her career a lift in a contest run by a famous bra manufacturer.

Clare Whittingham is in the running to scoop a £10,000 prize and business mentoring from celebrities including singer Paloma Faith.

She’s one of 50 hopefuls in with a shout of landing the five-figure bursary from lingerie designer Triumph, in its search for a “maker” for its new season.

The competition is run in conjunction with Stylist magazine and the cash reward is aimed at helping the winner “launch or further her creative business”.

Clare, from Victoria Street, has spent the past 10 years as a metalworker, creating her own range of bespoke jewellery and fashion accessories.

She will learn at the end of the month if she is among the 10 finalists and a step nearer her dream.

The 28-year-old said: “It would be amazing to win and have the chance to set up my own business.

“I’d love to teach kids about metalwork and help them achieve goals in fashion and art.”

Clare, who also works as an engineer welder at EPS Technology Logistics in Sittingbourne, submitted examples of her spectacular designs as part of the entry process.

She’s now calling on fellow Islanders to support her bid.

She said: “The entrants with the most votes will go through to the next round, so I need as many people to vote for me as possible.

“Ultimately, I’d like to go into schools and not only educate girls on the work I do, but show them it’s possible to thrive in a male-dominated industry.”