A Miss England contestant and professional footballer has hung up her sash and boots to join the fight against coronavirus by becoming a frontline carer.
Erin Smith joined the fight against the deadly virus and after the UK went into lockdown and is now doing 12-hour shifts caring for elderly residents with covid-19 near her home in Worcester, Worcs.
The 18-year-old, who dreams of one day being a nurse, said: "Being a carer is difficult, but I'm absolutely loving it.
"The residents are all so lonely because they can't have visitors and they miss their families, so it's nice to be the one bit of joy in their day.
"A lot are pining for company but you have to keep your distance so you can't give them a pat on the shoulder or a hug."
Erin has been playing football since she was four years old and previously played for West Brom and Coventry United, before she took time off to recover from an injury.
But the centre back, who has played as part of the England Colleges squad at an under-18 level, was forced to temporarily hang up her boots when all professional football was temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
And Erin admitted parents Mo, 54, and Tony, 50, who she lives with, were initially worried about her working on the frontline instead.
She said: "My friends said I was crazy when I signed up.
"Mum and dad were worried because they didn't want me catching anything but we don't have anyone vulnerable in our family.
"They are really proud of me because of the things I have to do, a lot of people couldn't do them.
"I never thought I'd be able to do the gruesome parts of caring but it's shown me that I can be a nurse."
Erin said her PPE is a bit different to her usual pageant attire as she sports a face mask, gloves, apron and face shield covering her stunning looks during regular shifts.
She has only told one resident about her modelling career, who thought it was 'amazing'.
Erin said: "Some think the PPE is funny and over the top but obviously you can't risk giving them anything.
"The only lady I told about the competition really encourages me. She thinks it's amazing."
Erin submitted videos and images of herself to the Miss England YouTube channel catwalking in her garden and showing off her keepy-uppy skills to earn her place in the beauty contest.
The Miss England Midlands semi-final was due to take place last month at Resorts World in Birmingham, but due to lockdown restrictions the contest is being held virtually instead, with the public and judges selecting winners who will go through to the final.
Organisers are currently unsure whether the grand final, due to be held on July 31, will go ahead physically as this may also be held virtually too.
Erin, who is sponsored by organic beauty company ST Essentials, said: "The reason I entered the competition is because I thought it would build my confidence, but I understand why we can't do it on stage with an audience.
"Doing it virtually is a bit different, but I don't mind.
"I can't wait to get back into football though. My dad loves that I'm into it and supports me so much, but I've had to do a lot of Joe Wicks PE lessons instead to keep fit."
Erin, who lost her other part-time job at a coffee shop when the pandemic became more serious, says the hardest part of her new career is seeing how lonely the elderly she cares for are.
She said: "The most difficult thing is not being able to spend a lot of time with them, especially if one of them is having a bad day.
"I set up a zoom call on my laptop for one lady so she could see her grandson, and she cried."
Erin is also raising money for The Survivors Trust, a charity which supports victims of domestic violence, by running 10k four times a week throughout May.
