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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 devastated, 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 need
ed 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
 
 
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