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A former Miss Italy contestant has been left horrifically scarred and could lose her sight after her ex-boyfriend allegedly threw acid in her face.

Gessica Notaro, 28, is in a serious but stable condition after the horror attack as she left her house in Rimini on the east coast of Italy.

She has suffered "deep" burns to the face and eye and is in a specialist unit in hospital.

The acid also damaged her hip and leg.

(Image: Facebook)

(Image: Facebook)

Police have arrested Gessica's ex-boyfriend, 29-year-old Jorge Edson Tavares.

The pair met while working at the 'Delfinario' attraction, an aquarium which features dolphin shows.

Gessica also had a career as a TV presenter after becoming a finalist in the 2007 Miss Italy competition.

(Image: Facebook) (Image: Facebook)

But Tavares, from Cape Verde, was issued with a harassment order after they split, La Stampa reports.

He denies carrying out the attack and claims to have an alibi, police said.

A friend of Gessica said: "She was always smiling, always optimistic.

"Her mother is destroyed by this."