A SPEECH in front of 100 delegates helped a teenager to become the first junior member of a national association.

Natasha Wood, 15, has become an accomplished face-painter, learning from her mother Hazel, who is a leading member of the Face, the profession's national association.

The association has previously had no junior ranks. At the annual conference in Nottingham, Natasha waited until the floor was opened for debate before getting to her feet to put the case for juniors being allowed to join.

Delegates were so impressed, they voted to accept her proposal.

Natasha, of Richmond, was signed up as the first junior member and will have a part to play establishing what tests other youngsters will have to pass to join.

Natasha said: "My sisters Katrina and Daniella will be delighted I won't have to practise on them quite so much - but I hope it will also mean other students like me can start to make a little money from their skills, which could help them through college or university."

Mrs Wood has been asked to arrange next year's Face conference in the Richmond area.