A date with a chiropodist put a new srping in her step. Now Heather Barron gives her feet another treat with a well-earned pedicure.

YOU don't have to go to a plush health spa set in 80 acres to have a beauty treatment. I once had my legs waxed in the boiler room of a friend's bed and breakfast establishment and was quite happy with the results. Sitting somewhere between these two extremes is Ellen Robertson's Hurworth Green Beauty Spa.

Although Ellen has been open nearly two-and-a-half years, even local people seem surprised to find her nestling behind the Adrian John Hairdressing Salon, above the Spar shop on Hurworth Green, a few miles outside of Darlington. It was time for a little pampering so I made an appointment...

A pedicure is a new experience for me. I don't really make time for this sort of indulgence, but my feet deserved a treat.

Following a chiropody appointment to sort out the worst of any problems, I trotted along to the Beauty Spa to put my feet into Ellen's capable hands. The room she works from is small, but contains all that she needs to offer a comprehensive range of beauty treatments. She got the place by chance when she left some questionnaires with Adrian John to find out if people would be interested in a mobile beauty service. The resounding response was that the local people would prefer to visit a salon, and Adrian happened to have a spare room.

The atmosphere is relaxing and friendly. Just what I needed after the mad morning school rush. First my feet were soaked in a foot spa to warm them up and cleanse and soften the skin. "Foot spas are great and make a perfect present," says Ellen. "Soak your feet as often as you can for about 15 minutes, using warm water and a little baby oil. It relaxes and softens the feet."

Ellen then removed my one chipped coat of hastily-applied nail polish, and evened off the end of my nails with a file. She worked in some cream to soften the cuticles, so that she could take them from the base of the nail. This prevents the nail drying out.

The two-year NVQ Beauty Therapy course that Ellen followed at Darlington College of Technology, during which she was awarded Student of the Year, also covered anatomy and physiology. "You can tell a lot about someones general health from their nails," says Ellen. "Deficiencies in their diet may show, but I have to be very careful what I say because I'm not a doctor. I can only recommend that a person might benefit from more calcium, for example, if I see ridges on their nails." Next came a wonderful foot massage with a moisturising cream. Ellen also offers an aromatherapy pedicure. I was offered a choice of 60 or so nail polish colours to finish. What an array, compared with my sad selection of light, medium and dark red at home... So I chose red. Call me unadventurous, but I know what I like.

I then learnt the secret of keeping your nail polish un-chipped and glossy. Start with a base coat to protect the nails from the polish and to help it stay on. Apply two coats of colour, and then finish with a clear top coat to add shine and help prevent the polish from chipping. As an extra tip, Ellen dabbed a little wheat germ oil onto each toenail to moisturise the cuticle and act as a barrier against damaging the polish.

I was so pleased with the result that I spent the rest of the day showing off my feet to friends and promising myself that I will find the time to treat myself again in the future.

A basic pedicure costs £14. Other treatments that Ellen offers include; waxing, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, facials, non-surgical facelift, manicures, makeovers (including lessons) and nail extensions. She is available for wedding packages and sells gift vouchers if you fancy treating someone else.

You can contact Ellen at 1 The Green, Hurworth. (01325) 720444 Tuesday - Saturday