NEILSTON businesswoman Pauline Clifford had stars in her eyes in 2007 as she met Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie.

Pauline, 24, met the star backstage at a gig in Glasgow and presented her with a pair of glitzy shoes.

They were customised by internet entrepreneur Pauline, whose designer trainers had also been snapped up by the likes of Paris Hilton and Pharrell Williams.

Pauline revealed how digging her heels in and refusing to take no for an answer had been the secret of her success.

The former Eastwood High pupil said: “I was working at Qube shoe shop in Buchanan Galleries and I customised a pair of Converse All Star trainers for my boss, using Swarovski crystals.

“The shoes got a great reaction and I started taking orders but I never planned anything big – it was just a hobby.

“I did, however, get a couple of grants to set up my own internet business, Star Sparkles, and it just seemed to take off from there.

“I managed to meet Fergie and she was really pleased with her shoes. She is really nice and not at all like her raunchy stage image.”