A PAIR of hairdressers will rub shoulders with top talent in the final round of a competition.

Phillippa Lee, 31, and her employee Hope Hassell are on the cusp of a Hairdresser of the Year award after sailing through the first round.

They are in the final six of the eastern category.

Phillippa, who is manager of Yaxley Hair and Beauty in Witham, said: “We’ve wanted to do this for the past three years. To be part of the biggest awards feels amazing.”

For the first round, Phillippa and Hope submitted a collection of four photos featuring their work.

Phillippa said: “It’s sort of your own creation.

“It’s quite dark, it’s got a bit of sass.”

Phillippa is now an ambassador for Choose Hair, an apprenticeship scheme that encourages young people to get into the profession.

She said: “I think it’s got such a lack of respect. People think hairdressers don’t earn very much and it’s been put down so much.

“I don’t agree with that. There are so many opportunities, it’s so diverse.”

The British Hairdressing Awards will be held at London’s swanky Grosvenor House in November.