A TEENAGER has taken her first steps down the catwalk of fame after winning a prestigious modelling contest.

Mel Titmass, of Bell Lane, Bury, beat off competition from hundreds of rivals to become the face of this year’s Clothes Show Live event.

The 16-year-old won a modelling contract with top agency Select Model Management and, as well promoting the Clothes Show, her pictures were also used in last Saturday’s issue of Buzz Magazine, published with The Sun newspaper.

The Bury College performing arts student said: “It’s amazing but I’m so shocked.

“I have always wanted to be a model so this is a dream come true, but I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground.”

Select agents looking for stand-out faces among the 150,000 crowd at last year’s Clothes Show week-long event scouted Mel and arranged for Mel and her family to travel to London in January for a glamorous photo shoot.

Out of 400 entries, Mel made a shortlist of five and a panel of fashion industry experts chose Mel as the winner. Previous winners include model and radio DJ Vernon Kay and renowned model Erin O’Conner.

Mel said: “It was a big compliment to be scouted and it was a wonderful experience going to London. I was able to get a hair-modelling job soon after on the back of it and things have just gone on from there.”

Managing director of Clothes Show Live, Gavin Brown said: “The judges felt Mel had such a great look and was the ideal choice to become the face of Clothes Show Live.”

Mel added: “I was absolutely gobsmacked to be in Buzz magazine.. I was having a sleepover with my friends and didn’t even know I was in until someone came rushing in with a copy of it saying ‘you’re in, you’re in!”

Her mother, Karen, said: “Everyone in the family is absolutely made up for Mel. She has worked really hard over the last few months. We will support her all the way and we know she can take the rough with the smooth.”

Mel has another year left of her college studies and then plans to take a gap year to focus on modelling. Clothes Show Live is December 2 to 7 at Birmingham NEC.