A MATURE student is still getting over her shock after winning first place in a national nail art competition – despite having had no formal training.

Jane Rigden took the top trophy in the Commercial Nail Art competition in Blackpool, organised by the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists.

At the age of 45 she started a nail technology course at Redcar and Cleveland College, East Cleveland, in September but has not yet studied nail art.

However she used her own creative flair and hours of practice to see off the competition with her flower design on acrylic nails.

She said: “I still don’t think it has sunk in yet that I actually won the national final. I thought I was hearing things.

“I have always loved art from being a child and have spent hours and hours painting my own nails, but I never thought for a minute that it would lead anywhere.

Jayne said she had always stayed at home with her children, so had never gone to college or "done anything for herself".

She said she hoped to study nail art and perhaps have her own business one day.

For more information about courses available at the college, call 01642-473132 or visit www.cleveland.ac.uk

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