STUDENT Sean Hopwood will soon be cutting a high profile in the glamorous world of modelling.

For the 6ft 3in teenager from Radcliffe has been crowned Face of Manchester.

Sean (19) has been snapped up by model agency Industry People after taking the title at the Fashion Manchester finals.

He will combine his one-year modelling stint with his college studies. Sean, of Sherwood Avenue, is to take up a resort management course at Leeds University when his current gap year finishes in September.

The road to fame for the former St Gabriel's RC High School pupil began when he was stopped in a Manchester street and asked to have his photograph taken for the competition.

He said: "I also filled in a form, giving details about myself. I said I was confident, outgoing and a lively person: and it was all the truth!"

His picture and details were registered on the Fashion Manchester web site with hundreds of other hopefuls. Members of the public were invited to vote and Sean made it through to the final six.

A big crowd attanded the finals at Babushka at Manchester's Printworks. Sean and five others strutted the catwalk, modeling a range of clothes, with the local lad getting the vote of the judges who included a leading national fashion editor, representatives from Nicky Clarke and the director of Industry People, the agency he will sign with.

About his success, Sean said: "I was over the moon. A few people came on stage to congratulate me.

"I've won a year's professional modelling contract and I'll be taking part in shows during Fashion Week in Manchester later this year. All this will help build up my portfolio".

Other prizes include hair styling from Nicky Clarke Manchester and VIP backstage tickets to see Blue perform when he will meet the band.

Sean, who took a year out after gaining three A-levels at Holy Cross College, has taken part in TV's Model Behaviour programme, based on a Pop Idol-type format, when he made the final 15 in Manchester.

So, does he envisage a full-time catwalk career? "At the moment, it's going to be a bit of a hobby. But if it goes any further, then brilliant."

Also in the final six was friend Michael Fisher from Hollins, Bury, who works at a Manchester department store. Both were unaware the other was in the competition.