CHARLOTTE Burton is desperate to get a job but employers are being put off by a health condition which means she can black out anytime, anywhere.

Despite applying for 80 jobs in the past four months, the 21-year-old from Tyersal fears her Jobseeker's Allowance could be stopped if she faints one more time on her way to signing on because sanction rules, depending on circumstances, can block payments after three missed appointments.

"I've passed out twice on the way to signing on. If I miss a third time, my benefits might be stopped. It's something else to worry about," she said.

Out of the 80 job applications, only four potential employers responded and not one has been successful.

She said: "I desperately want to work but my condition makes it difficult. I can't blame people for not giving me work but I'm just hoping someone would be willing to give me a chance. I'm determined to get on with my life and not let this get me down but it's tough."

Her fainting episodes have already forced her to give up a hairdressing course. Her time back at college to get childcare then business qualifications was also short-lived, as was a stint volunteering in a city centre charity shop after she was asked to leave for health and safety reasons.

At its worst, Miss Burton can faint about three times a day. At best, it may be once or twice every five weeks.

"I've been taken to one side so many times now and asked to leave. It's a terrible pattern that keeps repeating itself. I wish it would stop," she said.

There are at least 60 places around Bradford where Miss Burton has collapsed - including the ice rink and a swimming pool. She has had so many falls that doctors have told her she might have to face a hip replacement by the time she is 30.

Despite all that, Miss Burton, from Dudley Street, is determined not to let the condition she was diagnosed with as a teenager get her down.

The first fainting attack happened when she was 14 while she was just starting to study for her GCSEs at Laisterdyke Business & Enterprise College.

A GP diagnosed her with Vasovagal Syncope soon after but there is no guaranteed cure.

Usually, the sufferer grows out of it but Miss Burton said: "First I was told it might stop when I got to about 18 or 19 but it didn't.

"Then they said when I'm 28 perhaps. I've been told having a baby might settle the hormones down but that's extreme. For the time being I've just got to get on with it and cope the best I can."

Miss Burton, who is known at St Luke's blackout clinic, says nothing major had been troubling her at school to trigger it.

She said: "I want to get on with my life and enjoy it. I've got good friends and people know me around Bradford, I'm well-known to the ambulance service now because people dial them up so often.

"People just bring me back to my mum's door. People don't know me as Charlotte, I'm the girl who faints. I'm not being sorry for myself. I don't want it to rule my life but it's difficult. I want to raise awareness about the condition so more people will understand and take it seriously."

Cardiologist Dr Chris Morley from St Luke's Syncope clinic said: "It's brilliant what Charlotte is doing. We endorse raising awareness of this condition. It needs wider recognition."