Personally, I think she's beautiful - and I think she's sending the perfect message out. Over the years, sex discrimination, racial discrimination, all these societal illnesses have been cured with time. With any luck, size discrimination will be next.

She's sending the message that it's okay to not be a size zero stick figure, it's okay to look normal - and that's precisely the message that young people need to hear.

If she were unhealthy, it would be different. Forget what the BMI scale says and look at her as more than a set of numbers, for a moment. If she feels well, her blood pressure, etc checks out okay, and her size (she isn't fat, by any means, she's only very mildly overweight if at all, which I doubt) - doesn't prevent her from any activity she chooses - then she's perfectly healthy.

LH, NC, US

Yes, God forbid this beautiful young woman actually feel good about herself! How dare she not be miserable, hiding away, bemoaning the size of her thighs? How dare she not go on every diet out there, making herself more miserable, all the while lamenting how completely unloveable she is because she's fat!

I guess it really bugs some folks that not every plus-sized human is a self-hater.

(BTW, before you start hating on ME, I am a slender, 5'9", 39 year-old.)

alyssa , Redwood City, CA, USA

Tracy from Manchester suggests that Chloe needs to change her eating habits.

I think it would be far more beneficial if she were to do some exercise on a regular basis. If she exercises, then - at her age - she can more or less eat what she wants to.

But she looks as though exercise is not part of her lifestyle - and hasn't ever been part of it.

I'm 45, 6ft tall, and weigh 12st. I've seen a photo elsewhere, and - from that - I suspect her thigh is bigger round than my waist. And I could do with losing a few pounds.

The article states she is quite tall, but does not specify.

Dominic Mason, Rugby, UK

This is a win/win situation for Chloe. If she wins she will say that no believed she could do it. If she does not win, she is going to claim because she is overweight(which she clearly is). People mention she is a role model for younger kids. I think this could not be farther from the truth. The only thing she is teaching kids is that it is alright to live a unhealthly lifestyle.

Gertrude, Manchester,

don't think she can be fit and a size 16/18 when her hips measure 42 inches. Chloe needs to change her eating habits.

tracy , manchester, lancs

where does she get off with this shaply size 16 idea. more like a very unfit size 20. I also feel for the her poor horse, having to support all that teenage puppyfat.

sarah, manchester, lancs

I'm all for Chloe winning the Miss England title - it's about time we had some positive Beauty role models!
As a pioneer for realistic beauty myself (www.bodygossip.org), I'm constantly trying to widen the beauty ideals in this country, so that more people are happier with their natural, healthy bodies. Too many people are suffering from low self esteem and eating disorders because of the unattainable perfection we see in the media and in adverts every day - I say, love your natural, healthy body - whatever size that is!
Ruth Rogers, Body Gossip.

Ruth Rogers, London, London

I heard about Chloe Marshall on the radio this morning here in the U.S. so I had to get on the internet and see what she looks like, I would feel strange saying she's beautiful since I'm more than twice her age, but I sure hope she wins.

mark, boise, usa/idaho