Pantene winners to go head to head at finals (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Pantene winners to go head to head at finals

TWO Cotswold girls are going head to head in a final competition to be the next face of a beauty advert.

Rachel Woods, 18, and Amanda Hamilton-Rushforth, 16, have beat thousands of hopefuls around the country who entered the Pantene Pro-V hair contest.

They will now join other regional winners at the final heat in London on September 8.

And if one of them wins, not only will they be the star of a new Pantene television advert, they may also be offered a one year modelling contract with Premier Model Management.

Rachel, from Lechlade, said: "I entered the Bristol heat. It was really exciting. Everyone there had gorgeous hair so I didn't think I'd get through. "During the application process we were asked to walk up and down like on a catwalk.

"Then they sat us down individually and asked us about our interests.

"At the end, all the runners-up received Pantene products and the winners got flowers and tee-shirts. We also had our picture taken with one of the women from Model Behaviour.

"It was a brilliant day."

Rachel, who loves playing the cello and guitar, is due to start her final A level year at Farmor's School, Fairford, in September, studying English, sociology and Spanish.

And if she wins the final heat Rachel plans to take a year out before university to concentrate on her new work.

Lacrosse player Amanda, from Cirencester, entered the Birmingham heat and says her feet have not touched the ground since.

She said: "I saw the Pantene contest advertised on television and thought it looked really exciting so I decided to apply and sent in some photographs.

"The application process was easier than I expected but I was very nervous.

"At the regional heat the girls were all so friendly and I was soon put at my ease and enjoyed the day."

Amanda, who has just completed her GCSEs, said if she becomes the overall winner she will be continuing a family tradition.

She said: "My mum used to work at Grampian TV and appeared on their local business adverts.

"I would like to work in journalism or in the fashion/media industry eventually.

"I would consider modelling, but only as a part-time option."

The winner of the final heat will be announced by model Rachel Hunter and will be crowned at the Pantene Pro-V Awards at the Royal Albert hall in October.