I was bullied at school because I’m 4ft 10 and often came home in tears but now I’m Britain’s shortest beauty queen

A MODEL who was bullied at school over her petite height has become Britain’s shortest beauty queen — at 4ft 10in.

Catherine-Leigh Cleaves, 26, is in the semi-finals of Miss England next month.

She will be the smallest contestant in the pageant’s 94-year history.

It will be a far cry from her school days, when she would often come home in tears due to the abuse over her size, which left her suffering from anxiety.

Catherine said: “As a child I was picked on. I was prime target for the bullies.

“I was always having degrading names hurled at me, just because I was short.”

She finally embraced her size and began modelling — despite the doubters.

Catherine, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, explained: “Constantly I would be told that I was too short to be within that industry and it is predominantly for tall people with long legs.

“But they were wrong. I have been published in magazines. I’m always having photoshoots.”

She continued to push boundaries by entering the Miss England competition, alongside taller contestants including Imogen Browne, 19, also from West Sussex.

Catherine, who shops for clothes in the kids’ department, said: “I want to be able to inspire shorter ladies. A lot of women hold back because of their height or weight.

“I’m proud of my height. It’s an accomplishment being the shortest person ever in such a massive competition.”

The semi-finals are in Blackpool on April 7.