A PROMISING textile designer from Chippenham last week showcased her work at a prestigious London exhibition.

Rachael Clisby graduated this summer from the University of Derby where she took a textile design course.

Together with other graduates from Derby Ms Clisby took part in the New Designers 2003 exhibition at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

She now plans to get into the textile business and convert her bulging portfolio into a bulging wallet.

Ms Clisby said: "As the global economy seems a bit sluggish right now, it is vital that this year we take every opportunity to market our design talent as widely as possible.

"New Designers 2003 provides us with a showcase to achieve that aim."

New Designers is the UK's largest graduate design show, showcasing the country's top 4,000 graduate designers.

The show is an opportunity for buyers to meet the emerging stars of tomorrow and commission their work.

The Business Design Centre brands itself as one of London's most stylish venues. Each year it attracts more than 500,000 visitors, 70 exhibitions and 250 conferences.

As a result the exhibition has helped boost the careers of many young designers.