A Deal mum has become the new face and body of a post-surgery and mastectomy bra range being sold in Debenhams stores across the country.

Inspirational Wendy Watson, of Courtenay Road, was selected as the right woman for the job at Christmas last year, but has had to keep it a secret until now.

Having had a mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2012, the British retailer selected the 45-year-old in a bid to better represent women who have undergone or are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

The mum-of-three, who has no previous modelling experience, attended a meeting with Debenhams bosses in November last year, having been told about it by her friend Tracey Divito who saw an advertisement on Facebook.

She was asked to share her thoughts on the current range of bras available to women like herself.

She said: “It was a focus group meeting. I went with my friend Mandee Castle. There was a group of women who had all been through breast cancer and we gave our views on the problems we found with bras.”

The customer service assistant at Sainsbury’s in Deal had a full list of issues including the thick straps and their boring appearance.

She said: “For me, the inner lining used to poke out on low cut tops and I’ve have a huge bulge.

“I just kept ordering bras online and trying them but they didn’t fit and I just wanted to give up.

“I said that they could make them a bit more feminine and they really did listen.”

At the time Mrs Watson’s focus was on the bras and not really on the idea of becoming the face of the range.

She said: “They did mention they were looking for someone to be the face of the Spirit range but I didn’t think it would be me.

“We just had a really lovely day and came away quite happy.”

But after Christmas she received an email from Breast Cancer Now, who were also a part of the project.

“They told me I have been selected to be the face of the range and asked me would I like to do it. I thought for two seconds and said ‘yes’.”

The Spirit range has been a two-year long project for Debenhams, who have also implemented new training and processes to help drive greater support in store.

The bras are expertly designed with hidden prosthesis pockets to create a flattering natural shape as well as be feminine.

Mrs Watson travelled to Fulham to model the styles.

She said: “I didn’t try the bras on until the shoot day. I was really happy with them. I liked how feminine they were and the softness of them.

“It was a full day from nine until four. It was constant but brilliant. An amazing experience.

“It is great to be able to send other women who have undergone mastectomies a message – you can still be feminine and still be you.”

Her photographs now feature on the packaging, in stores and on the web.

As well as the bras, she has starred in a promotional video which has been viewed thousands of times. It shows her at home and on Deal beach as well as in Debenhams’ flagship store in Oxford Street.

The newlywed who married her partner of 21 years, Martin, in June this year, has been overwhelmed with the online and media attention she has received.

She said: “I didn’t expect it to be as big as it has been. It’s been crazy.”

After a tough journey through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a reconstruction, Mrs Watson is now in remission.

She said: “You want to feel complete again and by having the underwear, it makes you feel good.”

She has had fantastic support from her close friends, The BC Girls, a group for women who have or have had breast cancer in Deal, and her family including her husband and children; Jessica, 18, Samuel, 15, Ellie, 11 and her ‘star’ eight-year-old cocker spaniel Charlie.

The Debenhams Spirit post-surgery range is available in 30 stores including Westwood Cross in Thanet.

The bras come in 10 styles in sizes from 32B-40G. Prices range from £15 to £20.

A year-round donation of 50p from every purchase of a bra in the Spirit range will be donated to Breast Cancer Now.