WATCH this face! Jemma Sharland looks set to become a familiar figure over the next 12 months in her new role as the Scissors Face of the Year.

The 21-year-old from Ensbury Park in Bournemouth was one of four finalists selected from around 100 entries in the Echo-backed model search contest.

Jemma, who works in accounts at Liverpool Victoria, looked stunned when she heard she'd won the 2007 title at the grand final at Bar So on Tuesday night.

The former King's High School pupil said: "I really am so surprised to have won - I felt lucky enough just to have made it through to the final.

"I have never done anything like this before - it's all a whole new experience to me."

Jemma, who lives with her boyfriend of three years, Oliver Read, won £500 cash and £300 worth of hairdressing services and will also be the subject of a fashion shoot with one of the Daily Echo's award-winning photographers.

"I am really excited as I have always been interested in a modelling career," said Jemma.

"I also love to travel and my boyfriend and I are planning a world tour in 2009 so I will be putting the prize money towards the trip."

Norma Bowman, publicity officer for the Scissors Salons Group, who was one of the judges on the night, said afterwards: "The competition is now in its ninth year and I would say that this one has been the hardest of all to judge.

"It was a very tough call and I know it sounds like a cliché but to my mind they were all winners - they made it to the top four out of 100 entries."

Graham Crook, technical manager for L'Oreal who was also on the judging panel, added: "I think Jemma has a good fresh look which is also timeless and is perfect for a campaign - I really think she suits the profile of the company."

One of the four finalists, Lara Martin, who is on the books with local agency Base Models, said: "I was pleased to get through to the final - and I'm pleased Jemma won.

"We have met a few times before and she really is a lovely girl."

All four finalists were given goody bags packed with a range of hair care products from Kerastase, L'Oreal and Redken.