A hairdressing training company in County Durham continues to top the national league.

The Durham Training Academy (DTA), led by hair stylist Janet Maitland, has received the highest grades from the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) for the second year running.

The ALI assessment takes into account key criteria, including quality assurance, leadership and management, equal opportunities and the occupational aspects of hairdressing.

Janet said: "From the very start of creating the academy, I have played to the strengths of a very talented team.

"Their standards are as high as my own. By letting my team express themselves through their individual, specialist skills, our learners benefit from real life experiences of what is happening in today's business world."

Janet is now in demand from companies wanting to benefit from her experience.

As a result, Janet recently established a management consultancy specifically serving the training industry.

In addition to this, she has created a quality assurance manual which her company is marketing to other training providers.

She said: "It's been a fabulous 12 months for the DTA and with our continuing hunger for excellence, the next year should bring even more accolades."