Beyonce hires disabled model to launch merchandise collection

Beyonce has hired a model with muscular dystrophy to help launch her new relaxed-fit merchandise line.

Disabled IMG model Jillian Mercado features in the ads for the new items, which the Halo singer has posted on her website.

Jillian was thrilled to get the job of showing off the new athletic gear, which features words and phrases, like "Smack It" and "Slay", inspired by Beyonce's songs.

"OK LADIES now let's get in FORMATION! So BEYond excited to finally announce that I'm on the official @beyonce website," Mercado wrote alongside an Instagram snap of her new campaign.

"A special shout out to Queen Bee herself and the amazing team behind it."

The merchandise items will be available to buy at stops on Beyonce's upcoming Formation World Tour.

The Crazy In Love hitmaker sent fans into a frenzy when she announced plans to hit the road again in an advertisement which aired immediately after her stunning Super Bowl half-time show performance with Coldplay and Bruno Mars at the big football game in Santa Clara, California last month (Feb16). The song she opened her set with, Formation, had also caught fans by surprise as she had quietly released it online just a day before.

In an interview after the sporting event, the mother-of-one said she was blown away by the response to the track and was thrilled to be able to perform in front of such a huge, enthusiastic crowd.

"It makes me proud," Beyonce told Entertainment Tonight of the experience. "I wanted people to feel proud, and have love for themselves," she added of the meaning of the song.

The 40-date Formation World Tour will mark the superstar's first solo headlining trek since her 2013 Mrs. Carter World Tour. Beyonce will kick off the North American leg on 27 April (16) in Miami, Florida, and continue in the U.K. and Europe from June through July (16).