A budding fashion writer is to get the chance to work for Elle magazine.

Emma Love, 21, from Worthing, beat thousands of hopefuls in a talent search for a team of writers to create their own version of the women's magazine.

The eight winners will be allowed to dictate what goes into a mini-edition of Elle, called Future Elle, which is set to be published in May.

Emma, who has been assigned the role of fashion writer, said: "I have always wanted to be a fashion writer and it's an amazing first break."

She entered the competition in October by submitting two pieces of work.

Emma was then called to London to face a celebrity judging panel made up of the cream of the British fashion industry, including models Jodie and Gemma Kidd, designer Alexander McQueen and ELLE editor Sarah Bailey.

Mr McQueen said: "There is so much talent out there which is never discovered because people don't get the opportunity to showcase it. This award opens doors that are ordinarily closed. It was a pleasure to be part of this important process."

Ms Bailey said: "Breaking into the world of fashion is notoriously difficult. We receive more than 50 unsolicited CVs each month.

"We are delighted that, by running a competition like this, we are able to give eight individuals the opportunity to get their foot in the door and learn from some of the most influential people in the fashion industry."