HAIRDRESSING salon staff are dreaming of winning of a national competition and a holiday.

Saks, in Market Place, Durham City, is one of three salons in the final of the L'Oreal Salon of the Year competition for all the businesses in the Saks franchise group.

Trisha Jackson, mother of franchise-holder Dean Jackson, of Newton Aycliffe, is in the running for the title of receptionist of the year.

If Durham clinches the salon of the year award it will win a £5,000 holiday for its 14 staff, who are travelling down for the awards ceremony at The Grosvenor Hotel, in London, on Sunday.

Mr Jackson, who has held the franchise for 12 years, said: "It is a great achievement to be finalists. The team are a bit hyper, excited about it. If we win, we get a nice little holiday."

Mr Jackson is paying for the team to travel to, and stay in, London. He said: "It would be fantastic if we got salon of the year and receptionist of the year."

The salon's staff retention, customer loyalty and the sale of care products were assessed.

Mrs Jackson, of Newton Aycliffe, will win £250 of care products if she is judged above three other competitors.

She said: "I have been here four years after doing 22 years in a factory.

"I'm just so proud. I didn't think I would ever get to this level. It is absolutely brilliant to be nominated.''