GETTING up close and personal with Hollywood stars is all in a day’s work for Jane Flanagan.

The 28-year-old costume maker, from Lostock, has dressed the likes of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, as well as legends such as Robert De Niro.

The former Thornleigh Salesian College pupil has returned to her home town to set up her own business — while still commuting to London to kit out actors with the costumes she has created in her Bolton studio, in Albion Mill, Bridgeman Street.

But Jane — the sister of Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan who plays Rosie Webster — is quick to dismiss any notions of leading a glamorous lifestyle.

She said: “When I was working on Harry Potter, I was up at 4am to make it to work and carry on working into the evening.

“I have worked very hard. I knew it would be and in this industry you are only as good as your last job. But then you still can’t believe you are working on such big films.”

The costume maker has dyslexia and dropped out of sixth form to go to Wigan and Leigh Art College.

As a hobby, she attended drama classes, but said she did not have the confidence to make it as an actress like her sister — but “loved the atmosphere and buzz” of a production.

Before long, Jane, who grew up in Sharples, was studying costume the performing arts at the London College of Fashion. But it was her imaginative CV, rather than her talent which caught the eyes of the Harry Potter production team.

Jane said: “I had sent so many CVs and not heard anything, so my mum suggested I send chocolate frogs with it, and I thought why not? They rang me up straight away.”

Her professionalism saw her go from work experience to gaining paid work on the set in Pinewood studios.

She has worked at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden making costumes for the likes of legendary ballerina Darcey Bussell; working on two other Harry Potter films, creating costumes for the Death Eaters and Voldemort; dressing the main characters in fantasy film Stardust from Robert De Niro to Michelle Pfeiffer; and making costumes for Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth in The Golden Age.

She said she was speechless when she met De Niro on Stardust.

Jane moved back to Bolton and set up as Jane Flanagan Couture where she will undertake dress alterations, create special occasion wear and wedding dresses.

But she said: “I will still continue my theatre and film work. I would love to work on Godfather four because I love the films.”

schaudhari@theboltonnews.co.uk