A HIGHWORTH hair salon is feeling snip-happy after it was awarded a five-star rating by the Good Salon Guide.

Karoliina Saunders Hair Design, in Sheep Street, Highworth, will be listed among the premier hair salons in the UK after it was awarded the rating for its customer service, attention to detail of colour and cuts, and health and safety.

Not even the staffroom of the salon, which only opened 18 months ago, escaped the eyes of the inspectors.

Owner Karoliina, who comes from Finland and has worked as a hairdresser for 23 years, said that the salon offers something different.

She said: “Business has been really healthy. Everything about this salon is different, we focus on our customer service so we offer a head massage to everyone, a list of refreshments to choose from – we enjoy working here and it shows.

“The Good Salon Guide enables clients to know their hairdresser is a true professional. We’re delighted to have achieved independent recognition of this salon’s standards.”

Coming from esteemed hair dressing establishment Toni & Guy, Karoliina decided to branch out on her own and offer something unique.

She said: “We look different to other salons – we have a boutique-style decor which relaxes the clients and they feel pampered here. I’ve worked hard on making the prices affordable too.”

The Good Salon Guide is the only independent guide to quality standards to hairdressing in the UK and Ireland. They use professional inspectors to assess salons.

Dawson Penn, the chairman of the Good Salon Guide, said: “I am delighted that Karoliina Saunders Hair Design has succeeded in reaching the standards required to become a member of the Good Salon Guide.”