HE certainly looks familiar and Zak Lees is hoping his face will be his fortune after winning a top modelling competition.

The 20-year-old from Failsworth bears more than a passing resemblance to TV star Vernon Kay, and it was his good looks plus another attribute he shares with his more famous lookalike that wowed the Face of Manchester judges.

Zak’s cheeky, fun-loving personality and down-to-earth charm have earned him a contract with a top modelling agency in the competition, which was organised by our sister paper the Manchester Evening News.

The keen football and basketball fan was selected from hundreds of other young hopefuls after being nominated by his mum, Kath.

"I just really can’t believe I’ve won," he said.

"I don’t even know what photos she sent in – I think I was dressed in a fur suit in one of them but she said it really showed off my eyes."

Currently studying management and leisure at Manchester University, the former Hulme Grammar School student earns his keep with a part-time job at Tesco.

He’s keen to grasp the chance of swopping shelf-stacking for modelling stardom with both hands.

"This is the chance of a lifetime," he said. "I really want to make a career out of this now. I just absolutely loved the whole experience. I can’t wait to get to my first fashion shoot."

Having done a spot of child modelling – appearing in ads for the likes of Happy Shopper and the Early Learning Centre – the keen Manchester United fan gave it up at the tender age of 10 to pursue his love of football.

Although he never made it through the footballing ranks, he still trains with his local team, Failsworth Dynamos. He says he’s grateful for the support of his mum, an interior designer, especially since his dad Stephen, a former boxer, died seven years ago.

And while he reckons he’s inherited his dad’s model looks, he’s also inherited mum’s lovable personality.

"We’re very close. She was crying on the front row when I won!"

As for the other woman in his life – 19-year-old girlfriend Gemma – she’s equally proud, and his friends always thought he was destined for fame, thanks to his resemblance to Vernon Kay.

"I get it all the time," he laughed.

"Everywhere I go people always say how much I look like him, my friends even call me Vernon. I don’t mind – I love his style."

As well as a contract with the Nemesis agency, Zak also won a modelling contract as the face of Duty Free Denim, a hair makeover with Nicky Clarke and a grooming course and modelling DVD from top Manchester model Alex Leigh.

Zak shared first prize with barrister Sophie Robinson in last Thursday’s competition.

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