SWINDON’S most talented hair stylists are celebrating after the Adver announced the winners in their first Hairdresser and Salon of the Year competition.

Since September readers have been able to vote for their favourite hairdressing salon and hairdresser in a competition sponsored by K&G Hairdressing Supplies Limited.

On Friday night readers’ top five favourite stylists – Cerys Webb, Scott Croucher, Lisa Robson, Rachel Cory and Jessica Kline – went head-to-head in a live final at Swindon College, which tested their skills and overall ability.

During a tense two hours in front of an audience of friends, family members and clients the hairdressers pitted their skills against one another through two separate heats, where they were asked first to perform a cut and finish and then on a separate model perform a classic elegance hair up-do.

But despite the huge talent showcased it was Lisa Robson, from JJ’s Hair Group, in Havelock Street, who was crowned the Hairdresser of the Year after performing a dramatic cut-and-colour on her friend, Michelle Liddiard, before creating a beautiful, elegant up-do in the second heat.

The 31-year-old mum was ecstatic, holding back the tears of joy at her achievement.

“I’m over the moon and I’m just overwhelmed,” she said.

“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 to 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.

The final decision lay in the hands of an independent panel of expert judges including 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 agreed the quality of the work showcased was outstanding, and hoped that they would all, if they had not already, sign up to be state registered.

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.

“One of the big reasons for hosting the final here in Swindon College is to strengthen the links between the industry and the College, and fully that will develop as a result of this evening.”

Several of the finalists were former students from Swindon College, who hoped the success of the evening would set a precedent for years to come.

Rachael Elsey, curriculum area manager for hairdressing at Swindon College who organised the event, said: “It was a wonderful evening, and it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to highlight the industry in Swindon in this way.

“It’s also fantastic to see some former Swindon College students in the final, and many of our apprentices are working in salons with the other finalists too.

“Most of the finalists were at the College from 12pm on Friday to prepare their models for the second heat in our salons, whether it be to curl their models hair or carry out whatever preparation was necessary before completing the hair-up.

“We asked them to do a Classic elegance hair-up rather than an avant-garde one because it actually requires a far greater level of skill, because you need it to have that polished, smooth finish where as with avant-garde it doens’t need to be.

“We wanted to create a test of overall ability.

“Many stylists have specialisms these days and that’s why we wanted to bring in the heats so we could level the playing field.”

Meanwhile, Jessica’s Hair & Beauty in East Wichel are also celebrating after being voted as the Hairdressing Salon of the Year by readers.

As well as a Procare 24/7 Foil Machine and a 500m roll of foil, the salon won £50 store credit for K&G Hairdressing Supplies, £500 worth of advertising in the Swindon Advertiser, an editorial feature in the paper, a framed front page and a certificate.