SUTTON High School pupil Martin Unsworth has swopped his school uniform for designer Versace clothes after being spotted by talent scouts for top fashion photographer David Simms.

Martin, who plays rugby for Clock Face Recs under 16s, was playing golf at Suttons field, Thatto Heath, when he was approached by a group from Management and Production who were touring the country to find new faces for the future.

They gave Martin a business card and asked him if he was interested in modelling and when he said 'yes' they took some photos and gave him £100 there and then.

Within days after the initial meeting top photographer David Simms had whisked Martin and his mum, Pamela, off to London for a Versace fashion shoot for an Italian fashion magazine similar to Vogue. They stayed in a top hotel for three days and then returned to their home in Bentley Street, Clock Face.

But their return home was short lived for within hours of stepping through the front door Martin received another phone call from the agency and the following day he and his mum went to Bath in Avon for another shoot.

Within just a couple of weeks the Select Model Agency in London had signed Martin up and Lonneke Broadribb, who is looking after his bookings, said: "We're very excited about Martin. He's got a fresh, individual look and a great body. He's not traditionally handsome, but he's got that something special.

"David Simms is internationally renowned as a photographer and Martin has already done assignments with David that top models could wait months to get. He should do well."

Now Martin, who is modest about his looks, is grooming himself for a career in modelling. He says: "I'd never thought about a career in modelling, but after working for the agency on these two shoots I think it would be great. I just can't believe my luck, it's great."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.