RACHAEL Jones will be paying close attention when she goes to watch a new Hollywood blockbuster this winter.

For when the burning chandelier comes crashing down during a key scene in The Phantom of the Opera, it will be her work the audience sees going up in smoke.

"It was really exciting to work on," she said. "I got to see the rushes of the film before they started editing, and it looked fantastic."

The 24-year-old, who lives in Framwellgate Moor, near Durham City, has been making a name for herself as a prop maker for film and theatre, after graduating from Cleveland College of Art, in Hartlepool.

Apart from making the chandelier for Phantom, her recent CV includes creating a set for the new Batman film, which was partly filmed in London.

She built an archive room for a scene in the movie, which stars Christian Bale, of American Psycho fame, as the caped crusader.

"It was very repetitive work because there were thousands of boxes to be made, then I had to label them all," she said.

"But it is very satisfying to know your work is on the big screen."

In January, she hopes to take up a placement at a theatre in Brouges, near Paris, to learn French prop-making techniques and study the language.

The trip has been part-funded by the European Union, but the funding will only come if she can raise £1,100 herself towards the cost of the trip.

"Hopefully, I will be setting off for France in January," she said. "But I need a sponsor to help with the cost or I won't be able to go."

The deadline for her to raise the cash is December 3. Anyone who can help Miss Jones is asked to contact her on 07870 653429.

Published: 22/11/2004