TEARS of joy marked the moment that Lisa Robson was crowned Hairdresser of the Year this evening in the inaugural competition from the Swindon Advertiser.

The 31-year-old, who works at JJ’s Hair Group in Havelock Street, faced stiff competition from four other talented stylists in tonight’s final at Swindon College before snatching away the award.

The mum from Gorse Hill blazed through the first heat with a dramatic cut-and-colour on her friend, Michelle Liddiard, before creating a beautiful, elegant up-do in the second heat.

She said: “I’m over the moon and I’m just overwhelmed.

“I think just getting the recognition for your work, it’s amazing, to think that all the hard work paid off.

“Especially since everyone’s work was so good, they ave all done so well. We know each other and it’s so good o see them here in the finals too.”

As well as an engraved silver plaque Lisa also received a pair of Senshi scissors, £50 to spend at K&G Hairdressing, £250 in cash and a framed Swindon Advertiser front page and a certificate.

All finalists - which included Cerys Webb, Scott Croucher, Rachel Cory and Jessica Kline as well as Lisa - were judged by an independent panel of experts made up of David Larkcombe from the Montebello Group, Lynda Whitehorn, specialist lead for hairdressing and barbering at examining board VTCT and chairman of the Hairdressing Council, and Stephen Vickers, chief executive at VTCT.

They all agreed the quality of the work was outstanding, and hey were impressed with what the stylists had achieved.

Lynda said: “Most people who work professionally in the industry are not used to putting themselves out there to be judged in a competition like this and for that they have all been very brave. It takes a lot to stand up in front of an audience like this, and they should all be very proud of themselves.

“It was a very closely fought competition and the standard was outstanding, but ultimately Lisa was the clear winner.”