A YEAR ago, she was parading in front of the judges in a bid to become Miss Swindon. Now Cyan Cheung’s face is known to thousands after she secured a six-page spread in a national magazine.

The 24-year-old, from Freshbrook, may have failed to take the crown in the 2009 Miss Swindon competition, but her moment in the limelight sparked a passion for life in front of the lens.

Now her modelling career has well and truly taken off, with a high fashion shoot for Company magazine in the bag, a contract with a London agency and a deal to model for underwear designer Tallulah Love.

Hong Kong-born Cyan – who has changed her name from Tsz-Yan – had never modelled before entering the beauty pageant last year.

She said: “I thought it would be a bit of fun and I ended up making it through to the final 10. Part of that experience involved a photo shoot with a photographer and I absolutely loved it. I decided then I would like to model for a living and I set my mind to trying to build up a portfolio.”

After moving to London, the former Bradon Forest and New College student was signed by alternative model agency Rogue Maidens – she is considered ‘alternative’ because of her oriental features. The agency sent her to a casting for Company magazine, to which 2,000 other girls showed up.

Cyan was picked as one of the lucky eight to be featured in the mag and ended up with six pages of the May edition devoted to her, modelling maxi dresses.

“It was quite glamorous, but also hard work” she said. “They sent a driver to pick me up and the make-up artist and photographer had worked with celebrities like Fearne Cotton and Pixie Lott.

“They asked me if I was prepared to wear a blonde wig and of course I agreed. “I thought it made me look really weird – especially when they made my eyebrows paler.

“Then I had to balance on some really high heels, while the wind machine was blowing at me. It definitely isn’t an easy profession.

“Afterwards, I thought they might use one of my pictures, maybe on a quarter of a page. I was amazed when I saw I was on six whole pages. Everyone loves the pictures, but no one really really recognises me!”

Cyan’s next step is a second shoot for lingerie designer Tallulah Love, and a small part in a film.

The graduate, who has a degree in business, now has her sights set high.

“I do believe I can do really well at this, “ she said. “My degree helps me to look at myself as a business and I know how to market myself as a brand or a product.

“My aim is to make sure people see a lot more of me in the months ahead.”