Debenhams’ model is a first for disabled

A London wheelchair user today became the first disabled model to star in a nationwide fashion advertising campaign.

Shannon Murray, 33, has been chosen as the face of Debenhams' autumn/winter collection and features in the new window displays that went up in stores across Britain this morning.

She hailed it as a breakthrough and said she hoped her photos would prove "a real confidence boost" for the 10 million disabled people who are usually ignored by mainstream advertisers and fashion labels. The actress and model, who lives in north-west London, was paralysed in a holiday accident at 14.

Ms Murray, a law graduate, said: "I'm really excited. There are over 10 million disabled people living in the UK. We all wear clothes, we shop in stores and have money to spend. But we don't get the same inclusion in fashion that we should."

Claire Beale, editor of Campaign magazine, said: "Fashion brands are generally sold with images of airbrushed perfection. I can't think of another example like this before and it's brilliant."