A HAIRDRESSER has proved she can cut it with the best.

Stylist Rebecca Golightly, 25-year-old owner of the Nancy Darcy salon in Skelton, east Cleveland, has won a coveted place on the Clynol Protg team.

One of only six hopefuls to be chosen from a record number of applications from across the UK, Mrs Golightly will spend the next year travelling between her shop on Teesside and Clynol's showpiece West End academy to work with award-winning hairdressers Gary Hooker, Michael Young and Lisa Shepherd and stylists Charlotte Murray and Chris Munt.

Mrs Golighty, whose maiden name was Darcy, (Nancy is her middle name) wooed judges with a new look she gave a model during a two-day competition final in London.

She said at the weekend: "I am just chuffed to bits. It is nice to be recognised. No one outside the area has heard of Skelton and it is going to help us all in the shop because I will pass on what I learn to my staff."