PUPILS at Clarendon Primary School in Daubhill, Bolton, are about to view teacher Julie Finlay in a whole new light.

For "Miss" has just been made the new face of famous haircare products' range Supersoft.

That means that she will follow in the footsteps of famous names like actress Joanna Lumley and swimmer Sharon Davis.

The first that Julie, aged 34, knew about the competition was when a letter arrived telling her that she was a finalist.

"A friend entered me in the contest without telling me and the next thing I had a letter inviting me to come to London for a day's pampering as my prize," said Julie.

Her success was equally a surprise for her family -- husband Mark, son Luke, aged six, and four-year-old Lauren -- at home in Boothstown.

Julie enjoyed a terrific day of pampering, a new hairdo and a new party outfit from Littlewoods as the judges assessed the seven finalists for personality, appearance and lifestyle.

When they announced Julie as the winner, she says she was "completely gobsmacked".

Now, her prize -- apart from another day's pampering in the future -- will be that she will represent the famous firm as it celebrates its 35th anniversary.

This is likely to mean personal appearances and promotional work around the country. But first, she has to cope with the reactions of staff and pupils at school.

Shocked

"They really will be shocked," said Julie. "I'm not normally a glamorous person at all. Sometimes I don't even look like I've put a brush through my hair!"

Supersoft would disagree, however. A spokeswoman said Julie "epitomised the kind of everyday person with life commitments we were looking for -- a mum of two with a busy lifestyle."

For Julie, life is suddenly about to get much busier.