this week, with MATTHEW THRELFALL, 18, finalist in Junior Hairdresser of the Year, and of Freddies salon in Rawtenstall

MEMORY: My first day at school, All Saints' primary at Clayton-le-Moors. The first day wasn't too bad because my older brother Adam was already there.

HOLIDAY: I would have been very young when I first went on holiday with my mum and dad, but the first one I went on after leaving school, and the first abroad, was when I was 16 and went with a friend to Majorca for two weeks.

AMBITION: From being very young I always wanted to be a vet. The things that put me off were the top grades you needed and going to university.

HOME: My first home was in Clayton-le-Moors with my parents but I now live in Great Harwood.

JOB: When I was still at school my friend's mum, Denise Fish, owned a salon in Clayton-le-Moors called Snippets, and I worked for her during the summer holidays.

CAR: I catch the bus. I've not passed my test and don't have a car.

PET: When I was a child my parents had a lot of different animals, which is probably why I wanted to be a vet. My dad used to show dogs and when I was younger I used to show rabbits.

COMPETITION WIN: My brother and I and some friends used to do ju-jitsu and we went to a few different competitions, national and international. The first medal my brother and I won was a gold at Skegness -- we did a junior demonstration in front of a panel of judges.

HERO: Top hairdresser Trevor Sorbie.

HAIRDRESSING CONTEST: This is my first hairdressing competition. I've reached the top six of Junior of the Year and will find out if I've won at an awards presentation in London on September 9.