A SALON owner is celebrating success after winning a national competition.

Nicole Chilmaid, 26, took over Ellis’ Hair Salon, in South Street, Rochford, in September after working there from the age of 13 and climbing the ranks.

Now, the salon has been named Salon of the Year at the English Hair and Beauty Awards.

Nicole said: “It’s always been my dream to run my own salon and I feel this is just a dream come true. We were just happy to win the regional stage of the competition, we never would have imagined winning the overall prize so it’s just unbelievable.

“It was a really vigorous process that involved a lot of stages so I’m really proud with how we did. We wouldn’t have managed it without our clients who have been really supportive.”