FAMILY and friends of a model who died alongside her best friend are set to celebrate what would have been her 21st birthday with a fundraising event.

Skye Mitchell and Caitlin Huddleston were killed in a car crash in 2017 on the A595 near Bootle.

Both were aged just 18.

Skye was a well-known model and beauty queen, as well as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) ambassador, who also raised awareness about bullying.

Since her death two years ago her family and friends have raised money in her memory, through the charity A Skye Full of Stars, to help young people from Millom to achieve their ambitions.

This Saturday the charity's second annual fashion show, to mark what would have been Skye's 21st birthday last month, will see more than 50 models take to the catwalk at the Beggars Theatre.

Skye's mum Sharon, a teaching assistant at St James Catholic Primary School in Millom, explained that their work with the charity had helped the family to focus on something positive.

"It's definitely helped us," the 49-year-old said.

"I sometimes find it really hard to put on a brave face but we just want to carry on Skye's work and do it in her memory.

"She would love what we are doing."

Skye, a former Junior Miss North West winner who was sister to Millie and Candice, raised hundreds of pounds for charities, and was well-known within the modelling industry.

This Saturday the Beggars Theatre is expected to be packed out for the fashion show which will see men, women and children, aged from six to 65, strut their stuff to help raise money for A Skye Full of Stars.

Themes include 'A Day in the Lakes' and 'Red Carpet'.

The event kicks off at 7pm and will include a performance from local singer-songwriter Amy Jo Clough.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. A raffle will also take place with prizes including family tickets to local attractions such as the Lakeland Motor Museum, Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and the Lakes Aquarium, as well as vouchers for facials, CGP Books, and Millom Recreation Centre.

Tickets can be purchased on the door or in advance via the Beggars Theatre website.