" I joined the specials in 1997 and really enjoyed that."  But it was not enough.  She wanted to join the regulars.

"I applied to Cambridgeshire and got right through to the final interview.  " But I failed to get in.  When I asked why, I was told I hadn't sold myself.  I was devasted, but I was still determined to try again".

So she started doing voluntary work through the specials, going out and giving talks to different groups and working with the disabled in a bid to sell herself.

At the same time she applied to Norfolk Police and again made it to the last interview before being rejected.

" They assured me it wasn't my age.  But I felt I hadn't got in because I looked my age,"she recalled.

And it was then that she decided that if she was ever to achieve her ambition drastic action was needed.  " I decided there was only one thing for it.  I needed a face-lift."

She went to the .................... where she underwent the operation on August 18th last year.  It cost £4,8 00 for the initial surgery, which involved six incisions around the ears to pull up the lower face as well as having skin removed from her eyelids.  "It wasn't painful at all.  In fact it wasn't as bad as going to the dentist," she Linda, who has since has laser treatment to remove fine lines from around her eyes, costing an extra £1,300.

I couldn't believe the transformation.  I was really thrilled.   But the real difference came when I took part in a feature in a magazine and they paid for me to have hair extensions.  "they gave me long blonde hair and it made a huge difference.  People tell me I now look at least 10 years younger."  "I can't believe how my life has changed.  "In the past I was given jobs where I was sat in the corner out of the way.  Now I get all the good jobs where I am on show and it is all because of the way I look.

"I am so busy now, and enjoying my work so much, I don't want to join the police any more - and I don't have the time to be a special either.  "In fact I have decided to set up my own business offering advice to other people thinking about having cosmetic surgery.

"It is not easy to find the right surgeon and GPs are not always the best people to see for advice.  So people can come to me and I can talk to them about the procedure they are thinking about having.

Contact Linda Briggs on 01354 610368