A WORCESTER student in the running to be named the UK's sexiest "girl next door" by a national men's magazine has hundreds of people backing her.

Residents across the county have been voting for University College Worcester student Kayleigh Pearson in their droves.

The 18-year-old, who is in line to win the £10,000 top prize, said the votes had poured in to FHM after readers picked her as one of 10 "High Street Honeys".

Among Miss Pearson's champions are staff at the Talbot Inn in her home-town of Bewdley, where she was a bar worker before leaving to study at Worcester.

The student, who is in the first year of a sports studies degree, was this week fighting another battle - to win back her health in time for Monday's ceremony in London, where the winner will be announced.

"I got the flu and I had to do a photo shoot for FHM. I felt like the most unsexiest person in the world," she said.

If you would like to vote for her, log on to www.fhm.com/honeys.