A DARLINGTON hairdresser has proved she is head and shoulders above the competition after scooping the North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year award.

Toni Stephenson, of Hooker & Young hairdressers on Grange Road, received the award from television personality James Corden at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The black-tie event, which included a performance from pop band Union J, saw competition from nine regional categories covering all areas of the UK, along with six specialist categories that recognise the skills required in specific disciplines.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of Hairdressers Journal International which organises the awards, congratulated Miss Stephenson on her achievement on what was the 30th anniversary of the scheme.

She said: “British hairdressers are internationally renowned for their creativity, originality and innovation, and we are proud that the British Hairdressing Awards continue to celebrate this.

“It has been inspiring on this special anniversary to see the standard of entries in all categories exceeding high expectations.

“Congratulations to Toni Stephenson and all the 2014 winners who truly are the best of British.”