A single mum who was left fighting for her life after being hospitalised with a sudden bowel disease that resulted in her having her large bowel removed is on the road to success after being crowned Miss Divine Buckinghamshire.

Rachael Kin, from High Wycombe, and her family faced the “challenge of their lives” when she was hospitalised with sepsis and ulcerative colitis.

She had to have emergency surgery to remove her large bowel and she spent six weeks in hospital. A year on from her surgery - which has left her with a colostomy bag - and the 28-year-old said she has “faced discrimination, fought a lot of demons and for a long time felt isolated”.

However, she has decided to set herself a new goal - and wants to inspire anyone struggling to find confidence in themselves.

The funeral care worker has just won the regional title of Miss Divine Buckinghamshire 2018 and will take part in the grand finals of Miss Divine UK in Newport on September 15.

Miss Divine UK says it is a platform for strong, ambitious and inspiring females who want to make a difference.

Rachael said: “I want to be the first contestant with a colostomy and hope to inspire anybody struggling with body confidence issues.

“If can help to prevent one person from going through what I did mentally then that for me is the real crown.

“I regularly volunteer for a food bank charity as I’ve started to get back on my feet, and I’d like to do more to support mental health. Life isn’t just about what I can accomplish but about what I can inspire others to do.”