A BUSINESS run by a former magazine hair stylist, is doubling its work force in a North Yorkshire town.

Pure, on Stokesley High Street, is marking its second year in the town this month and has experienced faster-than anticipated growth.

Ben Middleton relocated to Stokesley from Brighton with his wife, Naz, who is originally from the town.

Ben, has worked with many celebrities and well-known names for magazines in London and in North Yorkshire.

Having launched with two members of staff, the salon now has a team of five with plans to double this next year. Ben also works with Middlesbrough College to recruit and develop apprentices. He said: “Stokesley and the surrounding towns and villages provide a buoyant marketplace and there’s some strong, well established competition so we are really pleased to be growing as we are.”