Hairdressing students from across North Lanarkshire were the guests of honour at Coatbridge College today (June 1) as the talented bunch picked up awards for their creative styling works.

As part of the college’s school competition, 22 third-year pupils were awarded with medals and certificates for coming top of their class to make it to the regional final.

Having been tasked with creating a unique hairstyle on a mannequin hair model, the pupil’s efforts were then judged by Nicola Frew, manager of Salon Services, Airdrie who sponsored the event.

And after a close decision, Bellshill Academy pupil Lara McMullan claimed the top prize ahead of Demi Hammond from St Margaret’s High in Airdrie and Jelyne Ong from Coatbridge High School.

Commenting on her success, Lara said: “I'm just so shocked at how well I did because I was looking at everyone's entries and I wondered if I even stood a chance.

“My style is based on others I've seen before but the overall look is my own creation.”

St Margaret’s High pupil Demi revealed that the competition has helped her to realise how much she wants to be a hairdresser.

She said: “I'm so excited to be placed second.

“This is only the second time I've done this type of style so I was really nervous but I wanted to go for a modern look based on a Victorian style.

“I'm planning to start at Coatbridge College next year when I finish school as I'm really interested in hairdressing.”

Jelyne admitted that she was happy to make it into the top three as she believes that is shows how all of her hard work has paid off.

The Coatbridge High School pupil said: “I'm really shocked and pleased with the results.

“I enjoyed every part of the day and all the practicing that lead up to it.

“I wanted to create something different and crazy so I feel really good about being placed third.”

Around 200 children from seven schools - including Brannock High, Taylor High, Caldervale High and St Ambrose High – competed in this year’s competition.

The event was organised for the third year pupils as a forerunner to the Scottish heats of the national Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) competition which they will be able to compete in next year.

Arlene Byrne, Schools Development manager for Coatbridge College explained that the third year competition was beneficial to both the schools and the college itself.

She said: “All of our lecturers go to the schools and speak directly to the pupils and that helps build our relationships with the pupils.

"But because the pupils have to be in fourth year to get into the AHT competition, we needed something like this to keep up their motivation.

“It is a fabulous competition because it invests in the future of the college in the sense that those who are interested and want to do hairdressing can get an idea of college life.

“It has proved to be a great source of quality pupils for us in the past and I’m just waiting for the day that one of them comes through the door as a lecturer.”

Take a look at our winners gallery