AT 16, Belle Davies was just like lots of other teenage girls her age.

She left Ribblesdale High School and wanted a career as a beauty therapist.

But after discovering the beauty industry wasn’t for her, she decided she wanted to be an undertaker.

With this in mind, the former Blackburn College student went to university, studying for a BTEC National Diploma in forensic science, where she achieved a triple distinction.

Following a further year at university studying criminal investigation and ‘hundreds’ of job applications later, the 21-year-old landed an apprenticeship with The Co-operative Funeral Care.

‘It all started when I was doing someone’s make-up and thought to myself ‘it would be a lot easier if you didn’t move so much’.

“It was a little bit of a joke at the time, but my mum Suzanne said if it’s what I wanted to do then there was a way,” said Belle who is now one of the country’s youngest funeral directors. Really, it hasn’t been easy getting a job in this industry.

“I spent a year looking around and sent my CV out to hundreds of funeral homes before finding out about the Co-operative’s apprentice scheme,” said Belle who lives in Warwick Drive, Clitheroe.

Before she landed the job, Belle also took a night-class in stone carving in the hope that monumental masonry might be another route into the industry and she attained an advanced certificate.

Her studies paid off and Belle is now one of only nine of the country’s qualified funeral care apprentices, and she beat 1,500 candidates to get the role, which is based in Keighley. Her skills from the Blackburn College course haven’t been wasted.

She said: “I’m a caring person and I love working with people from all walks of life.

“The job involves transferring bodies and preparing the deceased for viewings and ceremonies –so if the family have any special requests then I can fulfil their wishes.

People bring in pictures of how their loved one used to look and if it’s appropriate, I do the hair and make-up and paint their nails and make them look nice.

“My days are quite varied and I really enjoy it.”

With the help of colleagues and her manager Cathy, Belle helps conduct around six funerals a week as well as pall-bearing duties.

She is there to offer guidance and support to families and arrangements for the service.

Away from the demands of her job, Belle enjoys spending time with her friends and enjoys going out like any other 21- year old.

But Belle said she finds people always want to know about her work. She said: “People are always surprised when I tell them what I do and they ask questions.

“For me it’s the perfect job – I never dread going in to work and although it can be emotionally draining.

“It’s an honour to work with families through their most difficult times.”