The Sun newspaper are running a competition to find the UK's next top model - and it is just for plus sizes!

They are looking for gorgeous voluptuous girls who are a size 14 and over. The winner will get one years contract with Europe's leading plus size agency Hughes Models and be whisked off on a tropical fashion shoot.

More proof of plus size joining mainstream. All those gorgeous girls who aren't the standard size 8 to 10 get the chance to show of their beauty too.

There are a few criteria: entrants must be aged 18-25, at least 5.8' high and size 14-18. So as I am too old and too short (and possible a size too big) I thought I would let some other plus size stunners know so that we can represent our market fairly.

If you're interested - or think your sister, daughter, girlfriend or wife could be modellings's next big thing - Then take a look at the article on The Sun.

Make sure you invest in a new sexy outfit for your pics - I recommend the evening wear at Curvety.com

John Lewis is launching swimwear shots featuring a size 12 model in the wake of the size zero debate. Curvy South African model Lauren Moller is to be photographed wearing its 2007 collection.

The fashion chain said 80 per cent of its own-brand swimwear sales were in sizes 12 and above so they have chosen a model reflecting customers' 'real-life body shape'.

John Lewis public relations manager Mark Forsyth said modelling agencies contacted by the chain said size 12 was considered a 'plus size'. Ms Moller's 5ft 8in, size 12 frame boasts a 26in waist, 34C bust, 37.5in hips and a body mass index (BMI) of 19.8.

I would like to congratulate John Lewis for this bold step towards size acceptance. Although size 12 is a far cry from a true plus size, using real curves that represent the shape of the population is a leap forward for a non specialist brand.

The new swimwear pictures will appear in John Lewis stores and in other publicity material.

The proof that finally the nation is becoming more aware of the need to cater for the more voluptuous figure is the growing number of choice for the 16 plus market. A great example is Curvety.com who offer plus size clothing up to a size 36 in trendy styles.

Organisers of last week's London Fashion Week rejected this trend and decided not to ban models with a BMI of under 18 from the catwalk causing heated debate. Instead, the British Fashion Council asked designers to use only healthy-looking models aged over 16.

There has been a lot of media hype around the worry of rising obesity levels in Britain in the last few months.

Extraordinary preventative measures suggested include health warnings in plus size clothes and even more amazingly - a fat tax! Both of which I am sure will go a long way to helping the mental state of anyone over a size 16.

On the flip side - something good always comes from such PR.

Some of the UK's biggest food manufacturers are launching a £4m campaign to promote nutritional labels. The labels show percentages of guideline daily amounts (GDA) of sugar, salt, fat and calories in each serving. Another way is to use colours - red, amber and green labels - where green is good and red warns not to consume too much - approved by the Food Standards Agency.

I think this is a huge step forward - convenvience food is a necessity to many due to the fast paced nature of our lives, however it has to take responsibility for some of the food issues surrounding the western world today. Much of the time people eat things which they have no idea of its contents, and this is often used to the advantage of manufacturers who can increasingly up the levels of salt, sugar and fat to improve flavour and shelf life to the detriment of the health or weight of the consumer.

Offering more transparency into the food we are eating gives everyone the chance to take control of their nutritional balance whilst still living in the real world where it isn't realistic to cook from scratch.

There are 21 companies involved and the general consensus is that people will stop buying products with red labels. Does this mean manufacturers will have to work to improve the contents of the 'red' foods? Only a good thing if you ask me.

The GDA campaign is supported by a coalition of the UK's biggest food and drink manufacturers as well as supermarkets Tesco, Somerfield and Morrison and will be shown on print and TV adverts soon.

Anna Nicole Smith died on Thursday, aged 39, after being discovered unconscious in her hotel room. The cause of death is not yet confirmed, however everyone has an opinion and the general consensus is drug related.

TMZ.com has discovered a photo of the inside of Anna Nicole's fridge in the hotel that she was staying in. They say they have 100% verified that the photo is authentic. The photo was taken after she died and the contents and possible consequences are shocking.

For those of you who aren't aware, Anna Nicole is a spokesperson for controversial diet pill TRIMSPA after reportedly losing 69lbs using the product. So it is no surprise that next to the fridge are several bottles of TRIMSPA. However - finding a number of cans of slimfast inside was more telling.

Alongside the slimfast was miracle 2000 (marketed as a nutritional supplement for 'today's active lifestyle', French's Worcestershire Sauce, yogurt and spray butter. This mix of diet supplements and 'almost foods' paint a very bleak picture of the daily fight that Anna Nicole underwent to maintain a figure she was happy with.

One of the most shocking finds was methadone as autopsy reports showed that her son had died from a combination of the methadone drug in his system only 5 months earlier. Another surprising find in the fridge was several vials of medication that appeared usable by injection only.

Ironically, Anna Nicole's role model was Marilyn Monroe, the original voluptuous icon who died of a drug overdose at age 36 in 1962.

It goes to show that being happy with who and what you are is the most important thing. Entering into the unknown world of quick fixes to maintain what you perceive as the ideal outward persona is not only psychologically damaging - it may well be that it can kill you!

I for one would like to lose weight but intend to do it the safe and tested way and in the mean time I can get the sultry voluptuous look without the health issues

New research by Tanita has shown that the average British woman will put on a staggering 15.5 stone in their lifetime and lost 10 stone. This means an average fluctuation of 26 stone caused by yo yo dieting - the equivelant of 10 shopping bags full of fat!!!

The research showed that 78% of women worry about their weight and 20% say it is constantly on their mind with half of these weighing themselves daily!

Clearly we are a nation obsessed with our image - yet we progressively put on weight! If as a nation we were less weight obsessed maybe we would all be a little healthier and probably a whole lot happier. A healthy diet and regular exercise will make you feel great and will allow your body to find it's own optimum weight, we are all built differently and some of us aren't designed to fit the new size '0'.

So what are the reasons behind these extraordinary figures...

Most state that the reason they diet is clothes not fitting right, other reasons are a forthcoming holiday or a spiteful comment. We all like to look our best so it is understandable that women want a wardrobe they can look great in, but is it necessary to starve for this pleasure? Not any more. You can look great if you shop to your shape. Try Curvety.com for some great wardrobe ideas that wont involve a week of cabbage soup!

Recent research has found that almost three quarters of bosses believe there is prejudice in the work place against the seriously overweight. This rises further among those who consider themselves overweight.

The research found that the majority believe that people who are overweight are lacking self-discipline, self-control, energy and drive. In contrast most believe those who are very fit are better able to cope with the demands of a senior role in business and are better able to deal with stress and tough business decisions.

Being slim is often equated with being successful. If you have two candidates both capable of doing a job and one is of normal weight and the other is heavily overweight, then often the thinner person will be chosen - particularly if they will be in a client-facing role.

So gone are the days when only celebrities and supermodels have to worry about their appearance for the longevity of their career. No longer can we rely on our brain power and skill to gain the prospects which are rightfully ours.

Our slimmer counterparts also have the benefit of being able to dress the part with reasonably priced officewear freely available on the high street. Is it so easy for those who are a 16 plus?

So why is this prejudice allowed when we live in a nation so keen to stamp out inequalities in all other areas?

Ignorance is the driving force of prejudice and discrimination. Until society is awakened to the unjust treatment of the obese, the discrimination will continue. Just as racism, sexism and other prejudices have been out in the open and recognized by the majority as wrong, so must ‘sizism’.

To look great in the office try this Fab wrap shirt which is available in red or white. Pair it with some smart black trousers and you will be the best dressed in your office. Let them dare to say you don't look the part!