Now the St Anthony's schoolgirl, right, is representing a Sunderland salon in the Black Beauty Hair Awards.

"We moved from Bermuda to Sunderland about five years ago. We didn't have any problems finding hairdressers over there, but in Sunderland there are not many places that will relax Afro-Caribbean hair," said the 16-year-old from Sunderland city centre.

She added: "My mum has more problems than me because she has tighter curls."

After visiting the Ramsay & Johnson salon, LeChe was spotted by owner Neville Ramsay who was so impressed with her look that he asked her to model for some beauty shots.

The photographs, which feature in September's edition of Black Beauty magazine, have been shortlisted for the Black Beauty Hair awards, which will take place in London at the end of this month.

LeChe, who is studying for her A-levels, said: "I feel really proud to be representing a Sunderland salon in the awards. I've done modelling in the past and it's something I really enjoy doing.

"Hopefully, I can continue doing modelling alongside my studies."

Neville Ramsay, from the Blandford Street, Sunderland, salon, said: "We have noticed more and more demand for Afro-Caribbean hairstyles, which are a specialist form of hairdressing.

"It's a side of the industry that's been thriving in London and other places for years, but Sunderland has been a bit slower to catch on.

"I think the fact that more people are coming in for Afro-Caribbean weaves, curl relaxing and wigs shows that Sunderland is becoming more of a diverse city.

"Afro-Caribbean hairdressing is more specialist because the hair tends to be coarser with a tighter curl and you need to know how to cut it."