A HAIRDRESSER is celebrating ten years of success in Darlington.

Stephen Smith originally set up Esteem Hair and Beauty, in Victoria Road.

Last December, he moved to a first-floor salon in Blackwellgate Arcade.

He said he had come a long way since he helped in his mother's salon on a Saturday.

"It was a nice way to get into hairdressing because it was great fun to work with all the old ladies," he said.

Mr Smith trained at Saks, in Darlington, before moving to London for two years, but with living expenses very high he began to plan his move back home.

He said: "My sister, Leeanne, is also a stylist and we opened our first Esteem salon just off Victoria Road."

The salon then moved to Parkgate, before Blackwellgate Arcade.

"The salon opened last December and we have gone from two members to employing seven members of staff," he said.

Beauty therapies and a nail bar are also available.