THE first ever Face of Wilmslow can finally be revealed as 18-year-old Lauren Rooney.

The Wilmslow High School pupil pipped her fellow finalists to the post in the grand final of the competition sponsored by the Wilmslow Express, Hoopers and Boss Model Management.

Hundreds of you voted to pick the eight finalists who strutted their stuff on the catwalk at Hooper’s on Saturday afternoon, cheered on by family and friends.

And the stunning would-be models proved Wilmslow’s definitely got style.

Each finalist selected three outfits from Hooper’s extensive designer range and they certainly gave the judges a hard task in choosing just one to be ‘The Face.’

But after much deliberation by the panel - Hooper’s manager Simon Carr, (not Cowell), Wilmslow Express editor Jackie Doran, Stuart Alexander and Jennie Jones from Boss and Emma Williams - the title went to Lauren.

She was presented with a bouquet by Simon Carr and scooped some fantastic prizes, including a professional photographic portfolio from Boss, two outfits modelled during the catwalk show and guest appearances at Hooper’s events during the coming 12 months.

And there was huge applause for the seven stunning runners-up: Phoebe Ridley, Courtney McWilliam, Charlotte Fellows,Sarah Brimmell, Zoliswa Geraghty, Kymi Tuli and Sasha Morgan-Manly.

Model dreams on the horizon

HELEN of Troy may have launched a thousand ships with hers, but Lauren Rooney hopes her face will be the launch of a new modelling career after she won our Face of Wilmslow competition.

The 18-year-old from Capesthorne Road, Wilmslow strutted her stuff on the catwalk, pouted for the camera but it was her winning smile and sparkle which caught the eye of the judges to bag her the top prize.

The catwalk novice admitted she was unsure about entering the competition but was influenced by her family.

She said "It was a surprise. I was just stunned. I couldn’t believe it and just stood there thinking ‘that’s me’, when they said my name."

Lauren along with seven other lovelies spent the day in Hoopers for the finale of the competition and a catwalk show on Saturday (October 18).

She said: "We had to choose three outfits - smart day wear, casual day wear and evening wear - in the morning with the help of people there.

"It was harder than it sounds as I had to find something to fit me and I have a really small waist.

"We then had rehearsals and only 45 minutes to do our make up and hair."

Lauren added: "The majority of us were just novices and the crowd [at the final] made it a bit more scary.

"I didn’t raise my hopes. All the girls there were stunning and we all made friends."

Before entering the competition the Wilmslow High School pupil’s only modelling experience was taking part in the school’s annual fashion show for the first time last year.

She said: "It was a great experience.I love fashion so much and always had an interest in modelling so if I could get anywhere it would be great."

So what’s next for the year 13 student who will be taking her A Levels in English literature, geography and business studies next summer?

"I might do an economics degree, but I’m really interested in fashion. I really like modelling."

And with one of her prizes being a photograph portfolio from Boss Model Management and being placed on their books, the dream could become a reality.