A hairdresser rubbed shoulders with some of the top people in her industry at the House of Commons.

The event was the first in a long list of activities Suzanne Leadbitter will be involved in following her student of the year award success.

Suzanne, a senior stylist at Rio Verde in Meadowfield, Durham, met MP Austin Mitchell, who hosted the annual afternoon tea organised by the Hairdressing Council.

Suzanne said: "I was slightly nervous, but it was a fantastic experience."