BUDDING beauty therapists are to be given the chance to shine before some of the industry’s leading experts with a competition designed to raise aspirations.

Darlington College students are to take part in a new skills contest as the beauty therapy department links up with five-star luxury hotel and spa, Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth.

The hotel and college already work together on an apprenticeship scheme and the contest is designed to help students achieve the standards they will need to work in beauty therapy.

Experts from the hotel, including spa director Liz Holmes, will brief students and the competition will be staged in April.

Competitors will be examined on every aspect of professional beauty therapy including their people skills, how they talk to clients and analyse their specific needs, before delivering a 90 face and body treatment.

Mrs Holmes said: “We have always had a great relationship with the college and it is good to give something back. Contests like these give students something to aspire to in terms of the levels of expectation.

“It also allows me and my staff the opportunity to think about the services we are delivering and how they can be improved even further.”

The lucky winner will receive a spa day for two at Rockliffe Hall, which is the only five-star hotel in the North-East.