A lingerie store worker has denied pouring acid over herself to in a bid to achieve fame and fortune after becoming “obsessed” with disfigured model Katie Piper.

Naomi Oni, 21, was accused of setting up the attack and asking childhood friend Mary Konye to “play the stalker” and throw concentrated sulphuric acid over her.

The Victoria’s Secret shop assistant denied the claims by defence counsellor Sally O’Neill at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Jurors heard how Ms Oni was paid £2,000 by The Sun newspaper for an interview as well as £1,000 to appear on ITV’s This Morning programme.

She earned another £1,200 from a German television programme and was approached by the BBC.

Ms Oni was left with life-changing injuries after Konye, also 21, allegedly threw acid in her face as she walked home along Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, on December 30, 2012.

Internet search history showed Ms Oni had visited a series of plastic surgery websites and had researched Katie Piper’s story.

Asked by Miss O’Neill why she had visited them Ms Oni answered: “I do not think I was very pretty at all,” adding: “I wouldn’t say obsessed [with Ms Piper’s story] but it deeply moved me”.

Miss O’Neill said Ms Oni planned the incident to improve her future prospects,claiming she had always wanted her own make-up business but was short on money.

“You said if something similar to that of Katie Piper happened to you then that wouldn’t be the end of the world because Katie Piper probably had a career boost,” she said.

She said with business and finance student Konye refused to take part and that Ms Oni said was going to throw the acid over her own neck.

Ms Oni replied: “That is very untrue.”

The prosecution claim Konye, of Canning Town, Newham, followed Ms Oni in a Muslim veil as she made her way home from her work at Westfield Stratford City.

She denies throwing or casting a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do grievous bodily harm.

The case continues.