A MID-Cheshire College fashion student will be making his catwalk debut in Birmingham next week.

Gary Roberts, aged 22, is said to be destined for great things - and his display at the BBC Clothes Show exhibition, running in Birmingham from December 5 to 10, is his first collection for the catwalk.

The collection formed his National Diploma in fashion and he is now in the first year of a two-year HND course in the subject.

He said: "We needed a collection for the show that was going to represent the college. I'm on the People's Catwalk. It's for students who want to get into the industry. Hopefully there's going to be a lot of publicity about it.

"There's going to be a lot of people from the industry there. It's just fabulous to get my designs out there and let people see them."

He added: "I had my college fashion show and I thought that was the only thing that was going to happen with it - so I've had to do a bit of work on it for the show. I wasn't expecting it. I can't put into words how amazing it is.

"My friends and family have always been so supportive, but to hear it coming from people who've been in the business is a real boost."

The founder of Manchester Model Agency, Mavis Roper, was so impressed by Gary's designs when she visited the college that she commissioned a full fashion shoot with some of the region's top models to showcase Gary's growing talent.

Gary's theme for the collection is Gothic architecture and Fallen Angels and he visited every major cathedral in England for inspiration.

jsawyer@guardiangrp.co.uk