Two East Renfrewshire women are determined to show that beauty is more than skin deep after making it to the final of the Miss Scotland contest.

Elaine Burns, 26, and 19-year-old Abbie Lovering will battle it out with 10 other finalists to take home the crown after being interviewed by six judges in August.

Between now and then, the pair will take part in a series of challenges to demonstrate “beauty with a purpose” and will be supporting good causes.

Elaine’s chosen charity is SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).

She told the Barrhead News: “I’m passionate about using any platform you have to increase awareness of mental health and assist with the gap in resources.

“Recently, a good friend’s partner took his own life and, before he did, he asked for help.

“I think more people now reach out but there is not necessarily enough help out there when people do ask.”

Criminal justice student Abbie has chosen to support the British Heart Foundation after her auntie was diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) two years ago and fitted with a pacemaker.

People with HCM are at risk of sudden cardiac death and due to its hereditary nature, all of her aunt’s blood relatives had to be tested.

This was a worrying time for the family but fortunately everyone was given the all clear.

Abbie, who hopes to become a social worker, was inspired to take part in Miss Scotland after watching past contestants such as East Renfrewshire woman Jennifer Reoch succeed.

Jennifer was crowned Miss Scotland in 2011 and has since forged a career as a TV presenter.

Elaine, meanwhile, hopes she too can become an inspiration to other women and girls.

“I’m the director of a company called SBS Ayrshire and we deal in the supply of process plant equipment and stainless steel tanks,” she added.

“I want to share the message with young girls that you can achieve what you want to do if you set your mind to it.”

Elaine and Abbie, who are both from Newton Mearns, are eager to fly the flag for East Renfrewshire on a global stage by claiming the Miss Scotland title.

The winner of the contest will go on to take part in the Miss World event, to be held in Puerto Rico in December.