A Watchet teenager is hoping to be West Somerset's very own Mary Poppins but needs help to follow her dream of attending a prestigious university.

Lauren Sherrin, 18, has always wanted to be a nanny and has managed to win a place at Norland University for Nannies in Bath but because it is a private university the government does not subsidise fees.

This means that rather than the £9,000 it costs to attend the vast majority of universities, it will cost Lauren £13,146 per year in tuition fees and £550 per month in accommodation fees.

Struggling to afford the cost of realising her ambition, Lauren is appealing for donations.

"I love working with children and have done since I was young, and my mum has inspired me to become a childcare practitioner," she said.

"I feel I have a natural ability with children and that if I did not try the Nanny career that this would be wasted."

Lauren has raised £700 so far, donated by The Lions Club, Dunster Castle, The Corner House Café and through donations on Crowd Funder.

She is also putting on silent auctions for family day tickets to Butlins and Dunster Castle to go toward her tuition.

Lauren added: "I want to be a Mary Poppins but without the magic bag, I want children to look up to me and aspire beyond their wildest dreams."

You can help donate to Lauren's cause by going to: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/to-become-a-norland-nanny-1.