A HAIRDRESSER can justly claim her business premises are a cut above the rest after landing a prestigious accessibility accolade.

Janet Maitland Hair Excellence, in Gilesgate, Durham, picked up top prize in the health, hair and beauty category of the Department for Work and Pensions' Access All Areas awards.

It recognises the efforts owner Janet Maitland has made making the Marshall Terrace salon accessible and user-friendly, particularly for customers with disabilities.

She worked with long-standing colleague, Sandra Snowdon, the business's head of education - as well as tapping into the knowledge of her husband, Peter McDermott, an equal opportunities consultant - to redesign the premises, ensuring ease of access for all customers.

It included installing ramps, wider doorways, a disabled toilet and a portable washbasin for customers unable to use standard backwash chairs.

Ms Maitland said: "It makes good business sense to open the business to disabled customers, and the company accounts reflect that too."

Customer Jenny Hall, from Durham, a wheelchair user, said: "It's not just the fact there's much more room to move around, it's the salon atmosphere and well-trained staff."