A BEAUTICIAN from Northallerton has scooped a prestigious international prize – for the second year running.

Joanne Thompson, who owns Blink Beauty in Romanby, beat around 200 to clinch the award for the Best Overall Salon at the Heaven Health and Beauty annual awards.

Deborah Mitchell, founder of Heaven Health and Beauty, presented the award to Mrs Thompson at an awards evening at the Cube in Birmingham. The brand is said to be a favourite of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cambridge.

About 200 people were at the event including Dawn Ward from the reality television programme Real Housewives of Cheshire, and stars of the TV show The Only Way is Essex.

“I wasn’t expecting to win anything at all, so it came as a complete surprise,” said Mrs Thompson, who won the same award last year. “It’s lovely to be recognised when we work so hard. I’m thrilled for my team.”

Lynn Powell, sales and operations manager at Heaven, said: “Not only is Joanne a very, very good beautician, everything about her is lovely. She is brilliant at what she does, she is caring and understanding and her sales are excellent.”

To celebrate the win, Blink Beauty is offering a Heaven prescriptive facial, a half hour back, neck and shoulder massage, and a file and polish for £50. To book call 01609-258542.