STUDENTS from across the North-East have been taking part in a regional hair and beauty competition.

It was held today (Monday, February 8) at the Federation Brewery, Gateshead, and was made up of ten competing colleges.

The North-East heat of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) competition had 13 sections, including classical make-up, blow dry, men’s commercial cut and finish, ladies evening style, ladies freestyle event and commercial nail art competition.

The competition, sponsored by MATRI hair products, is co-ordinated by New College Durham’s lead practitioner in Hair and Beauty and National AHT chairman Lindsay Deswert.

She said: “This prestigious competition is the biggest in the North-East and is an excellent opportunity for students from across the region to demonstrate the skills they have gained.

“It gives the students a real confidence boost and the experience of working under pressure.”

The students faced tough judging from ladies hair champions, Leanne Willis and Robert Rouseaux.

Angela Johnston, hairdressing lecturer at East Durham College, said: “This is a huge competition and the students have been working very hard on their entries for the competition since returning from the Christmas break.

“Competitions like this are a fantastic environment for our students to go out and show off the skills they have learned in their courses.”