PUBLIC speaking is something most people dread, but for the youngest toastmaster in the country it has landed her the dream job.

Lauren Titmus, 20, of Milking Slade Lane, Great Gidding, Miss Titmus found herself frustrated by unemployment after leaving school in 2010.

In a careers meeting a year later she was told because of her flair for public speaking that one option was to become a toastmaster.

“At first I didn’t know what one was, I had never come across one before,” she said. “My mum explained what one was and I thought I should try it.

“When you see toastmasters, they’re of a certain age but I think I’m the youngest toast master in the country. I’m most certainly the youngest in the guild.”

At an intensive course at the Guild of International Professional Toastmasters last year, Miss Titmuss had to learn protocol for more than 40 events, including Christian weddings, Jewish weddings, civic dinners, and masonic ladies festivals - one she hasn’t experienced just yet.

In November, Miss Titmus had to pass the final test, compering at a toastmaster conference, before she was able to take charge of events.

She said: “At weddings, a toastmaster announces speeches, the first dance, cake cutting, ushers guests for meals and other events round the venue.”

So far, Miss Titmus has been a toastmaster at weddings, and at a special Olympic Prom Ball at Peterborough Rugby Club.

“It’s my dream job,” she added. “It’s something that will be quite lucrative when it picks up, but people aren’t always aware what we do.

“I love to travel so I would go anywhere to be the toastmaster, I have had an offer from Ireland, but I had to give it to a friend.”

As well as English events, Miss Titmus can also speak French and Spanish.

INFORMATION: To book Lauren Titmus for your event or for more details, call her on 07769 702280.