AN East Durham College student has been crowned as the best beautician in the region at a recent inter-college competition.

Laura Dovaston, 20, of Hartlepool, who is studying fashion, theatre, media hair and make-up studies course at East Durham College, in Peterlee, was awarded first place in her category at the North East Consortium Inter-college competitions.

The earlier rounds of the competition took place at colleges across the region over the last few months, with the finals held earlier this week at Newcastle College.

Laura beat off stiff competition from 11 other North-East colleges to win the Ladies Evening category at the finals day at the college’s Ryehill Campus.

Laura said: “It was a fantastic competition to be a part of, competing against your peers from other colleges around the region really makes you raise your game and compete to the best of your ability.

“We have worked really hard over the last couple of months, since the semi-finals back in Peterlee, in March, to make sure we were prepared coming into today’s finals, and all that preparation has really paid off.

“I am really proud of what I have achieved today but I must thank the fantastic staff from East Durham College who have helped me achieve this great moment.”

East Durham College beauty lecturer Julie Williams said: “This will be a great confidence boost to help Laura push on with her career in the beauty industry.”

For more information on courses in hair and beauty at East Durham College visit www.eastdurham.ac.uk or contact 0191-518-8222.