YESTERDAY they were two young people with a somewhat uncertain future.

Today, they have the world at their feet after being plucked from the streets of Greater Manchester to become international models.

Robert Colin and Ruth Goulding are setting their sights on Milan, Paris and New York as glamour and riches beckon.

During the summer, model-spotters were sent to look for interesting faces and invited amateurs to send in pictures, the lure being a potentially lucrative contract with a leading agency.

Hundreds of hopefuls were "scouted" or recommended by partners, friends, mums and dads, or got involved after spotting newspaper articles, hearing details on the radio or discovering the event online.

A panel of judges scrutinised 300 photos, and 20 were chosen to take part in a showdown to discover the Face of Manchester for the city's first Fashion Week.

And it was Robert and Ruth who emerged victorious at the Triangle shopping complex in the city centre. They will now be represented for a year by top agency, Boss Model Management, advised by specialists and given the every chance to make it big.

Boss managing director, Debbie Burns, said: "It is not difficult to find good looking people but we were looking for something extra, something with an edge. I think we got it."

Fellow judge Armand Beasley, the Rochdale-born celebrity stylist and MEN columnist, said: "I was very impressed with the shortlist of people. We wanted something different, interesting, full of personality and with a Manchester sense of humour and we were not disappointed.

Robert, 24, from Wilmslow, knew nothing of his entry until his girlfriend, Jemma, confessed she'd sent in his photo.

"I was really nervous", he admitted. "I have just finished a degree in financial services so was looking for employment in that direction, but this is much more interesting."

Ruth, 18, from Heaton Moor, Stockport, has just completed her A-levels at Aquinas College and was looking at taking a year off.

"That's changed a bit now", she said. "I saw the contest on the Internet and sent in an application.

"I have been interested in modelling but never done it, so I was extremely happy to get the vote."

Manchester Fashion Week continues tonight with a show at the city centre's Printworks, where the newest members of the catwalk profession will be on show.

Other events will take place at the Arndale Centre and other city venues over the weekend.