STYLISTS from a Swindon salon have been cutting it up with the cream of the South West's hairdressers.

The team from Chartz Hair and Beauty in Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill snapped up seven top honours in the 55th Annual South West Hair Styling Championships, held in Weston-super-Mare.

The competition saw the region's top stylists fighting it out to produce new and original styles, and Kerry Holmes, 21, took first place in the Special Occasion class and followed it up with a third in Street Blow Dry. Her 17-year-old pal, Danielle Sharpe, came first in the Strictly Dance Male class and second in the senior Bride event.

Eighteen-year-old Adele Lincoln, took third place in the Strictly Dance Female and also third in the Special Occasion, while salon owner Brian Chart won in the Fantasy Total Look event, after an absence of 12 years on the competition floor.

Brian said: "It was fantastic to be taking part and bringing home prizes. The whole team worked very hard for this championships and it's our second big win in the last three months.

"So it's back to the drawing board and bring on the next one."