Sarah Douglas has come home to Dalston.

Sarah left the village 23 years ago, when she was 17, after qualifying as a hairdresser.

Now she’s back there with her own salon.

Kudos keeps the name of the salon Sarah had since 2002 on Paternoster Row in Carlisle city centre.

Her new one opened last week.

It’s in The Square in the centre of Dalston, in the former home of Roseberry florists.

“I’ve been thinking about it for two years,” says Sarah.

“It was just a case of finding somewhere suitable. I grew up in Dalston. It’s nice to come back.

“A lot of people know me. There are lots of familiar faces. My family are still there.”

Sarah was already involved in local life.

Her daughter attends Caldew School and is about to take her GCSEs.

She has discovered another family link: years ago an uncle had a shop in the building which now houses her salon.

“I think it was a Post Office and convenience store.”

How has the village changed since her childhood?

“It’s grown. There’s more of a sense of community. There’s more going on.”

Sarah had five staff in the Carlisle salon.

“It’s just me here at the moment. From a large family of staff to me. I’ll see how I get on, see how the villagers take to me. There is another salon in the village.

“At the moment I’m just finding my feet again. It’s been busy. People are friendly. You can wave to people as they pass.

“I was talking to a lady the other day. When I was a kid we always called people ‘Mrs’ such and such.

“She said ‘I think you’re old enough to call me Marion.’

“I kind of go back to being a teenager when I’m here. It feels nice to be back. I’m settled again.”