A STUDENT from Great Sankey could be working in the premier fashion houses of New York as part of an exchange programme.

Claire Coupe, aged 20, is settling into life at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan, and is also hoping to secure work experience while she is in the Big Apple.

The ambitious youngster is a fashion and design student at Nottingham Trent University and was chosen as only one of six out of around 60 people who applied to take part in the four-month exchange.

Speaking before she left for the US, she said: "I had to apply by writing 500 words about why I should go, then they shortlisted 12 people and we all had to have an interview with our course leaders.

"I am nervous but really looking forward to the experience!"

Claire will return home just before Christmas before carrying on with her second year studies in Nottingham.