BEING vertically challenged has not meant a shortage of opportunities for Joanne Maden who has landed a unique role in this year's Commonwealth Games.

The 31-year-old accountancy consultant, who lives in Corlass Street, Barrowford, has been selected as one of four people to be the Kit Kat mascot at the Games this summer in Manchester.

The news means Joanne will be seen on television screens across the world when pictures of the games are transmitted by satellite to countries taking part -- but nobody will know it is her. She'll be in a cat costume. And it's all down to her size.

Joanne, who is single and works at NCS Support in Rawtenstall, said: "I applied to be a volunteer at the Games and they sent out some information which had a section asking if you wanted to be a mascot.

"You needed to be under 5ft because of the size of the costume and over 18. I'm 4ft 10."

As Kit, Joanne will have to appear at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, which start on July 25 and finish on August 4.

She and her three counterparts will attend a meeting at the stadium on April 22 where they will receive their costumes and training.

"We've been told we can only keep the costumes on for 15 minutes at a time," added Joanne. "It's a health and safety thing as it's so heavy.

"But I'm quite excited about it. My family and friends think I'm a bit mad."

Her first public engagement in claws and whiskers will be the opening of a garden party in Rochdale on July 13.