By Meg Jorsh

Last updated 13:17, Wednesday, 25 June 2008

A Carlisle dancer and model has hit the big time as the face of the Ministry of Sound.

• Images: more Clare Brown photos

Clare Brown

A decade ago, at only 13, aspiring starlet Clare Brown appeared in the News & Star and told readers of her bid to win council funding for performance school.

Now 23, she said: “This is the most exciting shoot I’ve done. It’s going to be all over Britain and Europe.”

The saucy shoot in London’s Shoreditch saw her pose in a bikini for the Ministry’s new clubbersguide album, which was released on June 2.

“It was really nice to do,” she said. “It was just me on my own so I got loads of attention and they treated me really well.”

Clare, who is 5ft 11in, danced with Rod Stewart at his 2004 Olympic Games concert in London. “He was a funny little man,” she said.

Then studying at London’s Italia Conti theatre school, she has since worked in Milan, Cannes and Shanghai.

She left home at just 13 to attend the Tring Arts Educational School in Hertfordshire.

“I was a little cry-baby and I missed my family,” she said. “But I grew up knowing I had to leave Carlisle to do what I wanted to do.”

Now based in London, she admits modelling has its downsides. “I’ve a few close friends with what I do but models tend to love themselves a bit too much. Although I’m proud of myself, I know I’m no better than anyone else.”

Claire, who is due to marry fiance Steve Haswell, 37, on Christmas Eve, is very happy in her job. She said: “I love travelling and the fact that I don’t do the same job every day. The money’s good and I get to work with great people.”

As a teenager Cumbria County Council contributed £10,000 to her training, with the rest paid by her parents. Proud dad Kenny Brown, 47, had to remortgage his house to meet the payments.

“Even though it was difficult for her leaving home at 13, she stuck at it,” he said. “She’s got so much drive and determination.”

Clare started dance lessons at Cumbria Dance, Nelson Street, aged two.

Kenny, of Newfield Drive, off Kingstown Road, added: “She was always very pretty and very tall.”

Could you or a friend or relative follow Clare onto the catwalk? Enter our Face ofCumbria 2008 competition for a chance to win a £1,000 photo portfolio. just visit www.newsandstar.co.uk