CURVACEOUS women will compete in a contest that aims to revolutionise ideals of beauty across the world.

The Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 pageant is coming to Brighton this weekend.

Organisers want to upturn the fashion for thinness and send a message to girls bullied about their weight.

Founder and organiser Leah Prescod, 29, said: "We want to build up women's self-esteem and confidence.

"A lot of the girls will have been bullied when they were younger.

"Most shops now have plus-size ranges, and over time we don't want to have any ideal of what a beauty pageant should look like. "We are trying to change the face of beauty.

"The average dress size of women in the U.K. is in fact a size 16 so we are reflecting the average size.

"I had such a good time competing in pageants myself. And it helped me in my work life with a job interview. Once I had been on stage in a bikini I thought, the interview can't be that hard."

Open to girls of a dress size 14 and above, the contest is divided into four sections: glitz and glamour, swimwear, eveningwear and an off-stage interview.

Miss Prescod said it was not all about looks, adding: "All the girls are encouraged to do charity work and guest appearances."

Plus-sized pageants have attracted critics who say they encourage obesity, as well as people bullying contestants for their weight.

Miss Prescod said: "For every person that says something negative, there is a girl at home being bullied who says, it's nice to see there are women like me being celebrated."

The pageant has grown from around 10 contestants when it was founded to 40 now for its fifth anniversary year.

There is no Brighton contestant this year.

Miss Croydon Curve 2016, Emma King, spoke of her motivation on social media.

She said: "I want to represent girls like me and show hard work, dedication, confidence and self love can make such a difference.

"I want to be someone people look up to or say 'I didn't give up because of you'."

Visit missbritishbeautycurve.com for more information.