'Do you want to be a drag queen?' - 18-year-old Ashfield man tells us about his transformation into a queen

The Myst also known as Luke Harvey is a resident drag queen at Huthwaite's Market Inn which is called The Pink Flamingo Bar during drag nights.

The Newcastle Street resident who also went to Sutton Community Academy sixth form said his confidence has come a long way since the first performance at the pub on Main Street.

Speaking to your Chad in a red sequined dress and a turquoise wig The Myst said: "The difference between the first night and now is so dramatic - on the first night I wouldn't say I was nervous because I still had that drag queen mentally of that 'I am fierce'.

"I remember walking around Sutton at 16 in full makeup - I know the majority of people do not want to see it.

"One of the reasons I do this is to help people who are gay and show them that they don't need to hide themselves."

The Myst said she first got into drag after watching the hit American show RuPaul's Drag Race, where drag queens compete to become America's next drag superstar.

She said: "I have got to admit the first time you watch it you have to wonder what the hell are you watching.

"But then you slowly become very obsessed.

"I though I might try it and ever since my first show I know this is what I want to do professionally.

"For me drag means I can entertain an audience and let them forget this mess of a world we are in right now."

When asked what the tip is to walking in high heels The Myst said: "Don't walk in stilettos be smart and wear thicker heels."

One problem she does find when it comes to being a drag queen is finding heels for her size 13 feet.

She said: "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap."

The bar is now looking for drag queens from the area to join The Myst and maybe have a go at her signature death drop - where she dramatically falls backwards into a struck pose on the ground - and it usually includes the splits.

Steve Alderman, aged 60 who owns the pub and also lives above it said: "It is about giving them a place - a safe place - there are no venues like this around here.

"The punters are very supportive - most of them have been to one of the nights now.

"People should give it a go we have come a long way since it was classed as 'dirty'."

He said that there has only been one incident since the night, which can have 100 people attend, started in March last year.

Steve also said he usually flies a pride rainbow flag when the weather is a little better.

He said: "A lot of people did not know what it was when it was first hung up."

Antony Davis who is 18 and also went to school with Luke, DJs the event as part of his family's company RollerCoaster Entertainments.

The Clumber Street resident said: "We have great fun, it has been going down a storm we have started doing hen dos.

"And we are all learning together during every show on how we can make it better.

"The confident boost doing drag has had on Luke is amazing."