AN aspiring model has defended the casting agency she used to get work even though it charged her an up-front fee.

Donna Fielding, 19, from Livesey Branch Road, Mill Hill, Blackburn, said she has had a lot of work since signing up to online talent agency starnow.com.

She has even reached the northern finals of a model competition due to be held next month.

Starnow.com boasts 30,600 jobs and casting calls, 600,000 members and 20,000 online profiles. However wannabe entertainers have to pay an up-front fee if they want to access all its services.

The Department of Trade and Industry intriduced legislation in 2004 that made it illegal to charge up-front registration fees.

But the new law does allow agencies to charge a "reasonable" sum to include someone in a publication or directory.

Payment options for starnow.com include individual payments of £11.95 a month, £6.95 a month with a minimum three month subsription and £20.85 upfront, and £4.95 a month with a minimum six month subscription and £29.70 up front.

Donna said: "It's definately not a scam. I paid something like £20 upfront and then its only £6 a month afterwards, but you get ten times that amount back if you get a job."

Sarah Dickinson, chair of the National Association of Supporting Artistes Agents, said that most agencies were happy to take their fee out of the first day's work.

And Alistair Smith, editor of casting magazine The Stage, said: "What is apparent is that legislation introduced in 2004 needs to be tightened up and industry bodies must work with the Government."

Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU), is campaigning for a change in the law to stop agents charging up-front fees to performers.

BECTU Assistant General Secretary Martin Spence said: "What we are saying very clearly in this statement is that the only fee an agent should ever take from an artist, is a commission fee from work found."

Cameron Mehlhopt, starnow.com chief executive officer said: "StarNow.com differs from agencies in that we are an online talent community where members can create a personalised profile with photos, videos and mp3s, network with other performers, apply to casting calls, and access industry interviews and advice.

"It is free to register and receive casting call emails, and it is only when a member wishes to actively participate in the community, promote their profile, or apply to a casting call that they then choose to pay a subscription fee. We take no commission or success fees."