Catwalk awaits (From Penarth Times)

Catwalk awaits

A TEENAGE schoolgirl from Penarth has been plucked from obscurity by talent scouts looking for the next generation of super models.

Clare Thomas, 16, was shopping in Cardiff when she was spotted by talent scouts and asked to enter the "Miss Selfridge 2004" competition, after a nationwide search for girls with the potential to join the next generation of catwalk stars.

Brunette, Clare, who is 5ft 10in and a size 8, said: "I was looking for clothes in Miss Selfridge when I was literally tapped on the shoulder and asked to enter the competition.

"I had photos taken and thought no more about it. Then the organisers called back and told me that I was down to the final 12 and invited to the final in Manchester."

Although Clare was not chosen to become the face of Miss Selfridge 2004, Premier modelling agency, who represent Naomi Campbell and Chrissy Turlington, have told her they will be contacting her about work in the future.

They have invited Clare to take part in a fashion show in London, featuring all 12 of the finalists.

Clare, a pupil at Stanwell Comprehensive, said: "It was a fantastic day and I'm now convinced that I would like to model if I had the opportunity.

"In the morning we worked on the choreography for the catwalk show. A team of fashion experts then selected clothes for us to wear from the current Miss Selfridge range. We were then prepared for the show in the evening by make-up artists and had our hair styled by designers from Toni and Guy."