AN apprentice with an Okehampton hairdressers could be on the road to success in a national hairdressing competition.

Sophie Osman started her apprenticeship with Quinns Hairdressers in July 2010. She is currently undertaking an NVQ level 2 course through Exeter College for hairdressing, and is in her second year.

Sophie entered the Wella Professionals Xposure competition, the leading nationwide hairdressing competition for students, through the college.

She competed alongside 35 other students of the college, including NVQ level 3 students. The competition celebrates imagination, creativity and talent among young hairdressers. Top prizes include the chance to work with leading stylists and £1,000 worth of Wella training vouchers.

Sophie was placed in the top five entrants, giving her a chance to compete at one of the four regional finals. If she progresses to the regional final and is successful there, she will have a place in the grand final of the competition at the Wella Studios in London in June.

Dawn Pitts, the owner of Quinns, said: 'I am so impressed with Sophie. She is highly motivated, very organised, hard working, and a pleasure to work with as she is always smiling.

'She has progressed really well in the salon, and is now busy gaining experience with her own models in the salon with support. Everyone at the salon wishes Sophie the absolute best of luck.