A WEEK'S work experience at a local department store might not be the most conventional route into modelling.

But, for a Lostock Hall teenager, it was the first rung on the ladder to fame and fortune.

Rachel Bitters, aged just 15, has been told she is to be the Face of Olivia -- the famous wedding dress fashion house.

Lucky Rachel was spotted when she was asked to stand in as a make-up model and vocalist at a fashion event organised by Debenhams, in Preston, the shop where she was doing work experience.

Rachel, of Bamber Bridge, said: "It all happened by chance. I was on work experience when the store's personal shopper, who was organising fashion show, asked if I could sing. I said yes and I was asked to take part. "When I got there, I also volunteered to be a make-up model because someone had dropped out.

"I was spotted by someone from the House of Olivia and asked to take part in some events they were organising, including modelling wedding dresses.

"They've now asked me to be the face of the House of Olivia."

It's the sort of thing her friends at Lostock Hall Community High School can only dream about.

But the chance to open a new venue run by the House of Olivia and perform at other fashion shows, has not drawn Rachel into the modelling world just yet.

She added: "I just want to sing. I would rather do that than model but I am enjoying what I am doing at the moment.

"I certainly didn't expect to end up doing this when I went on work experience at Debenhams!"