A YOUNG travel agent is looking forward to her first taste of fame when she stars in a television commercial.

Laura Bryson will appear in an advertisement for Hays Travel which will be broadcast for the first time tomorrow.

The 21 year-old, who works in the Ferryhill branch, County Durham, features in the 30- second advert with her mother, Cath Bryson, as an extra.

The advert will receive its premiere on Tyne-Tees Television on Christmas Day during the intervals of Emmerdale and Coronation Street - with the potential for millions of viewers.

Ms Bryson said: "I don't usually like being the centre of attention but all the crew from the production company were so relaxed and reassuring. It was such an interesting experience, to see how everything works behind the scenes of a TV ad.

"My family are proud as punch though. Everyone I know is talking about it. I'm sure lots of our regular customers will watch it and it will make my mum's Christmas day."

Ms Bryson, of Wingate, started her career as a 16-year-old modern apprentice and is assistant manager at the Ferryhill branch.

Her new-found celebrity status will also see her on Metro station billboards across the North-East and thousands of Hays Travel posters and leaflets.

Published: 24/12/2004