A Bridgwater teenager who roamed the streets wearing a homemade billboard begging for work has finally landed a job.

The Mercury revealed last October how Claire Fear took the extreme measures after being knocked back for hundreds of jobs. Her story was followed up in the national media.

Four months later the 18-year-old is now working full-time as a private carer for a disabled man.

Her luck changed when she met a couple in a café who knew the man and having read her story they recommended her for the position.

Former Bridgwater College student Claire secured an interview and was thrilled to be told she had been successful.

She says the job is going really well and thanked everyone who supported her, but said she had also received some unpleasant texts about her appearance during the search.

Claire said she dressed smart for all her original interviews yet had no luck, but she wore jeans and a jumper and left her facial piercings in for the carer interview and managed to get the job.

She explained: “I felt more confident; I wasn't worried about feeling uncomfortable about my appearance.”

Her new employer, who does not wish to be identified, said he had no idea about Claire's desperate attempts to find work before hiring her.

He said: “I think its funny how after all that, getting a job had nothing to do with the newspaper stories.

“Hiring her is one of the best decisions I've ever made and it is the perfect end to the story.”