TWO hair stylists from Okehampton have proved they are a cut above the rest by being nominated for two Exeter College awards.

Hayley Gent, a stylist from Quinns in Okehampton, has been nominated for hairdressing apprentice of the year, while salon owner Dawn Pitts has been nominated for this year's skills award for employer of the year.

Of the eleven stylists working at Quinns, the majority have completed at least some of their training at Exeter College, either as apprentices training in the salon and attending college one day a week, or as full-time students at the college. Most of the salon's stylists are trained to the highest level, NVQ Level 3.

Hayley, who has worked at the salon on East Street for two and a half years, said: 'It's so exciting to have been nominated for this award; I wasn't expecting it at all.

'I took a degree in technical arts and special effects at Wimbledon College of Arts, but then moved down here and realised that art work isn't the easiest way to make a living in this part of the world.

'I still wanted to do something visual and artistic, so took the apprenticeship in hairdressing, and I can still feel as though I'm creating something artistic, and I get to talk to people a lot, which is great. I love it.'

Salon owner Dawn Pitts said: 'The awards are a great thing for the apprentices to aim for, and Hayley was so thrilled to be nominated as there were so many great people on her course.

'She is a very experienced student, and is so passionate about hairdressing but ultimately the best thing for her I think is to be nominated.'

Dawn has been nominated for employer of the year, and Hayley said: 'Dawn is a brilliant boss, she's really lovely and looks after us all really well. She is so deserving of the award, so I've got my fingers crossed for her.'

The awards ceremony takes place on Monday February 7 at the Abode Hotel, Exeter. The awards will be presented by hotel partner and Michelin starred chef Sir Michael Caines MBE, himself a former Exeter College student and student of the year.