COMPETITION enthusiast Wendy Houghton has had stars in her eyes after answering a call from phone company BT.

School secretary Wendy was amazed when she learned she had won through to the North West heat of the BT Payphones' Cosmic Callers competition.

The company is looking for 12 people across the country who are most characteristic of their star signs who will feature in a national advertising campaign and win £1,000 each.

And in order to persuade judges, including international astrologer Russell Grant, that she deserved to reach the final mum-of-two Wendy had to visit a Manchester Hotel recently and explain why she is most typical of her star sign, Pisces.

"Russell Grant was uncanny in what he knew," said 52-year-old Wendy, of Bradshaw Meadows.

"I am very very indecisive -- I can't make my mind up on lots of things."

But she also has other qualities of a Piscean such as a caring, sympathetic nature and an artistic side, which she expresses with cake decorating and writing poetry.

Although she has previously had her tarot cards read and follows her horoscope, Wendy says she is not an expert on star signs.

But she is more knowledgable about entering competitions, particularly those in the BEN , having previously won a holiday to Majorca, a music centre, weekend break, microwave and dozens of smaller prizes.

BT Payphone competition is also raising funds for the charity "Dreams Come True", which grants wishes for seriously and terminally ill children.