AN inspirational Wirral schoolgirl awarded a modelling contract for the way she has dealt with alopecia took to the catwalk during last weekend's Love Wirral music and fashion festival.

Five-year-old Sydney Caraher, who lost all of her hair and eyebrows due to stress-related alopecia after two routine operations, strutted her stuff during the show at Pyramid's shopping centre in Birkenhead on Saturday.

It was her first contract winning the shopping centre's Model Tot competition with Frame Modelling and Casting Agency.

The festival saw hundreds of shoppers enjoy acts including the Wirral Ukelele Orchestra, Heswall based Funkstar Dance and 14-year-old singer songwriter Tabitha Jade.

Sydney, from Upton, was presented with a bunch of flowers by Hollyoaks actor Ashley Taylor Dawson, who plays Darren in the show.

Sydney's mum Sarah Carahaer, hopes her daughter's story will raise awareness and funding for UK charity Alopecia UK.

She said afterwards: "We're so proud of Syd, she was amazing, she's been practising her walk at home and she pulled it off on the day.

"We're so proud of her. We never expected anything like this to happen to us.

"It's been just amazing and we'd like to thanks the Pyramids for the doors this is opening for our little girl. She feels like a proper star now."

Also modelling Tresspass clothes on their first catwalk assignments were fellow Pyramids Model Tot winners for 2015, 20-month old Arminio-Joseph McKinney, from Hoylake, and 11-month old Kai Keenan, who were also presented with flowers.

Laura Seymour, from Frame Modelling and Casting Agency, said: "The event has been a great way to bring a bit of glitz and glamour to Birkenhead and kick-off summer.

“The Model Tots little stars were brilliant and the public really took to Sydney Carraher, her story has really touched the public’s heart.”