A SHOP worker who was called 'skeleton face' at school is encouraging women to embrace their natural beauty.

Emma Sealey, from Colchester, was born with 'chubby' cheeks and has always been of a healthy weight.

However at 11 years old, and as a student at the newly named Colchester Academy, she began experiencing anxiety and lost weight.

Since then Emma, 30, who works in Wilko in the town centre, has struggled to put the weight back on around her face.

She was called 'skeleton face' and has even been compared to the mask from the horror film, Scream.

However she has now learned to love her face and is inspiring other people to feel comfortable in themselves.

She may have even found the answer to her problems.

Gazette:

She said: "After hearing my story a local lady contacted me saying her friend who lives in new York has a condition called Aquired Partial Lipodystrophy.

"She said she has similar things to me and put me in touch with her. I am looking into it and have a doctors appointment on Monday.

"It's not confirmed but if I do have something like this then it's something perhaps people should be aware of.

"It's a condition where you can't store fat on you top half."

Her parents, Martin, 62, and Ann, 62, have been very supportive, but even so she has felt the need to consider facial fillers and has tried to use make-up to cover her natural contours up.

However Emma, who is also a part-time hairdresser, said she is staying positive and hopes to find an answer soon.

She said: "I'm a bit worried I could be labelled, but it would answer a lot and make me understand why I don't have weight in that top area.

"It freaked me out at first and I am scared, but it is interesting and if this is the case then I'm angry there wasn't a diagnosis when I was younger.

"Apparently it's a rare case."

Gazette:

She does not have an official diagnosis yet, but in the meantime her main aim is to encourage other people to stay confident.

She said: "I received so much positive feedback, and girls contact me saying how they feel similar, and how I have been inspiring.

"It's been so lovely, and if I can help people feel better about themselves, that's my aim."