MOST of us have to be content with flicking through old photographs to see how we have changed over the years.

But a performing arts student just had to tune into BBC 1 at 9pm, Wednesday, July 3, to see the difference two years had made to her, physically and mentally.

Claudia Kohn, of The Avenue, Radlett, featured in the first of a three part series, investigating the attitude of different groups of children and how they developed, for the programme Teen Species.

She was recommended to the programme's production company by her Tring performing arts school.

The school had heard the company were looking for a dancer

Claudia was 12 when the filming began and crews regularly invaded the family home every six to eight weeks to film until she was 14.

Now aged 15, Claudia aims on being famous so being in front of the camera did not faze her, although she admits taking a retrospective look at herself was not always comfortable.

She said: "I am a bit embarrassed about some of the stuff. It is weird looking back on myself two years ago and my spotty face."

It is a year since filming ended and Claudia has noticed more than just physical changes in herself since that time.

She said: "I have grown up a lot. I feel, even in the last couple of months, I have grown up more.

"It was a good experience. I would have liked to focus on my dancing more because I want to be a dancer, but they were looking for a singer for the programme.

"It really enjoyed it and my family are really pleased for me, and now I want to make it."

Her mother, Anita, is proud of the way her daughter conducted herself for the programme.

She said: "It is quite intimidating having cameras following you around and she has handled it very well."

July 5, 2002 13:30