TWO hairdressers who have worked together for 25 years have proved it is never too late to learn something new by branching out into beauty therapy.

Yvonne Harrop and Lynne Goldsborough, both 41, of Salon 19 in Leadgate, near Consett, have expanded their business, bucking the trend of shops closing down in the village.

Ms Harrop said when she and her friend started working at the salon, straight out of school, there were 37 shops open in the village. Now there are only about ten left.

She said: "We decided to put another string in our bows and keep fresh, so we went to New College Durham to qualify as beauty therapists.

"We have now doubled the size of our business, creating a treatment room, two manicure areas and a waiting room out of unused space."

Apart from hairdressing, the salon offers beauty therapy, including nail treatment, makeup, eye treatment and facial waxing.

They have also taken on Nicola Jeavons, 19, who has completed her third year at Derwentside College, doing an NVQ in beauty therapy.

The salon is the first in the region to offer a smoke-free environment.