Shropshire mother to mix with Cannes film stars

Shropshire travel consultant Leighann Kirby has been given the assignment of a lifetime – to mingle with Hollywood stars at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

The 37-year-old has been invited to the French Riviera's glamorous show after impressing prestigious clients, including international event organisers and people involved in film and television.

Leighann, a mother-of-two from Sutton Farm in Shrewsbury, will arrive tomorrow for four days in Cannes with the group of VIPs, including actress and TV presenter Liz Fuller, before travelling with them to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Mrs Kirby runs a successful franchise of the national award-winning Travel Counsellors, specialising in bespoke holidays and business travel for all types of clients based in the UK and overseas.

She launched her franchise in January 2011 and has since built up a business with an annual turnover of more than £200,000.

Mrs Kirby came to the attention of prestigious clients after appearing in the national lifestyle magazine Fabulous last November. She has since appeared on the BBC Breakfast sofa for International Women's Day talking about how women can be mothers and successfully build their careers at the same time.

She is having her hair specially styled for the film festival by London-based celebrity hair stylist Stuart Phillips. His client list features the likes of actress Gillian Anderson, tennis champion Serena Williams, actor David Hasselhoff and Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.

Mrs Kirby said: "One minute l'm sat in London being introduced to people, next l'm getting phone calls asking me if l can attend Cannes with them. It's a definite pinch me moment."