STAFF at a Malvern salon have been celebrating after it was named a Beauty Salon of the Year finalist, at a prestigious award ceremony.

Belle Beauty was among a collection of salons from across the country listed as a finalist in the main category of the English Hair and Beauty Awards.

Hundreds of people attended the black tie awards ceremony, held at The Athena in central Leicester, to enjoy the event, which recognises and celebrates those in the hair and beauty industry going that extra mile to ensure their customers feel, and look, their best.

The Worcester Road-based salon just missed out on the award. but still enjoyed the nomination and the glittering ceremony.

Lucy Watkins, owner and founder of Belle Beauty, said: “While we didn’t win the Beauty Salon of the Year award we were delighted to be named as champion finalists.

"When the organisers first called me to invite myself and manager Debbie Alban to the awards we thought it was a hoax.

"But it just goes to show that our high standards and hard work have paid off.

“It’s really our aim to always give a five star service to every customer so we’re proud to see this acknowledged at such a high level within our industry.”

The English Hair and Beauty Awards have been running successfully for the past five years and have continued to grow and have become the industry’s leading awards ceremony.

The evening also helped to raise funds for Make A Wish Foundation, a charity which provides magical experiences to children and young people facing life-threatening conditions.

It is the latest success for the salon Belle Beauty, which were named the regional winners of the prestigious Guinot award, Salon of Excellence 2018 last year, and also expanded last year.