Two beauties, who have brains as well as looks, are flying the flag high for Romford in the modelling world.

Former English and Maths tutor Katie D’Souza, 22, has been modelling for just two months, but has already made it through to the final of a national competition in Central London next week.

Katie, who lives near Romford station, will be competing in the Miss Flavour 2011 contest, organised by Flavour Magazine.

Katie, who has already appeared in six music videos, said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I didn’t really have the confidence for it, but then I just decided to go for it. In modelling the older you get the harder it is, so I thought it was now or never.”

She added: “I’m extremely nervous and extremely excited, as it’s my first competition.”

Meanwhile, Donna McPhail, who has been a model for seven years, flew back from a photoshoot in Greece last week before speaking to the Recorder.

Donna, also 22, was spotted by a scout from the First Model Management agency while out shopping in London with her sister when she was 16.

The former Havering Sixth Form College and Albany School pupil has been on the cover of Vogue in seven different countries as well as fronting campaigns by the likes of Givenchy, Prada and Gucci.

She said: “When I was spotted and asked if I’d like to be a model I said ‘I can’t do that I’m a Romford girl’.

“I brought my manager to Romford and he said there was so much talent here.”

She added: “When I first started it was a huge adjustment, when I would see all my friends they would talk about college and I’d be like ‘I’m flying to Paris tomorrow’. But now I’m looking into the possibility of doing my A Levels online.”