Last updated 18:41, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

For a corner of England so far from the spotlight’s glare, Cumbria’s sons and daughters go on to make names for themselves in some extremely glamorous careers.

The days when children wanted to be train drivers are gone. Today’s youngsters are more likely to aspire to a career in pop music, acting, dancing or fashion.

Today we highlight the achievements of two such young Cumbrians. Amanda Tinkler, who grew up near Appleby, is living in Los Angeles and working with Christina Aguilera’s songwriter.

Damian Gadsby from Carlisle has worked for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses and is currently responsible for designing men’s shirts for the Topman chain.

Amanda’s talent was nurtured and spotted in her home county. Damian learned his craft at colleges in Workington and Carlisle.

There is little point in claiming that pop stars and fashion designers should be based in Cumbria. The big opportunities lay in big cities. But the county can give young people a grounding in these and many other careers and the University of Cumbria will ensure more opportunities for future generations.

For every Amanda and Damian there are thousands of young people who do not achieve such glamorous goals, or who do not yearn for them in the first place, but they too deserve the chance to make the most of their potential.