The 17-year-old has had an amazing year after impressing judges at our annual fashion show.

Now the South Tyneside College student, from Sunderland, is encouraging people to attend our castings tomorrow for this year's show.

She said: "Just do it. The fashion show is fantastic and you make loads of new friends.

"Last year I forgot it was a competition as we all got on so well.

"I have been encouraging all my friends to go in for it. It's so much fun and I couldn't believe it when I was told I'd won.

"It's been an amazing year so far. I have done all sorts of things, and I'm down to the Miss Newcastle final 20."

Her work is already leading to bigger things, including a bridal company booking her for shows in Manchester and London and the possibility of a shoot for its brochure.

Mum Karen added: "It's been a wonderful year with loads of exciting things happening for Tamzin. It has been a great experience, hectic, but lovely."

The Gazette is searching for a team of first-class models to take to the runway in Fashion High-fliers on July 25 and 26.

Castings take place at the Customs House between 10am and 1pm, and we're looking for male and female models, aged from 14 upwards.

Tyneside-based Tyne Tees Models is sponsoring our Search For A Catwalk Star while scouring our stage for the Face of 2008.

Company director Lesley Middlemiss Lister said: "Tamzin is quite commercial and good things are certainly coming her way."

Mrs Middlemiss Lister will be joined by fashion show director Peter Darrant and the Gazette's editor John Szymanski for the castings.

The best model over the two nights will be selected as our Face of 2008 – landing themselves a modelling prize with Tyne Tees Models.

Bring one headshot and one full-length, non-returnable, colour, non-studio photographs, along with a completed form, printed on this page, to the castings.

* Tickets for Fashion High-fliers are now on sale, priced £10, which includes a great goody bag, from the Customs House box office on 454 1234.