Staff at Cutting Edge Hair and Beauty, salon in Cinderford, are celebrating after being awarded prizes in three categories at a prestigious national competition.

Lucy Leach was named as the leading 'best newcomer', in the 'First Timer Make It Your Hair' category, while her two colleagues, Holly Powell and April Shurmer, won second place in the 'Colour of the Day Award', and third place in the 'Chicest Chic Award', respectively.

The 'Britain's Best 2013' competition, which is organised by the National Hairdressers' Federation, and sponsored by L'Oreal Professionel, was held at Birmingham's Hilton Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre, and attracted a field of several hundred competitors.

Kelly Hodges, director at Cutting Edge said: "Britain's Best is an amazing competition attracting top stylists and salons from all over the country, three of the judges were from Europe and the fourth was X Factor stylist Jamie Stevens. It just goes to show what amazing talent we have here in the Forest of Dean.

"At Cutting Edge we really try and encourage the girls to participate in as many competitions as possible as it really helps instil confidence in them, and opens their eyes to a wealth of new ideas which then get brought back into the salon to the benefit of our clients."