A Penrith hairdressing salon has triumphed at the first North West Beauty Awards.

Greg Malloy Hairdressing, on Victoria Road, was named as the five star salon of the year at the inaugural event, held in Manchester, to celebrate the growing sector.

Hundreds of professionals gathered at the event, which also featured aesthetic clinics, spas, doctors and dentists.

Greg Malloy and his partner Ashley Taylor won the Cumbria award and then saw off competition from salons in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire, to take home five star salon award for the North West.

The pair said they were overwhelmed with the win.

Ashley, who is also a senior stylist, said: “We never dreamed of taking the North West regional award and are thankful to the panel who after assessing the company afforded us this honour.

“I struggled to make it to the podium to give a speech I was so excited and shocked.

“All the staff and clients over the past 25 years have been an instrumental part of this success and we thank them all.

Greg added: “We are privileged to have such a great job that allows us to meet and work with some fantastic people every day. No two days are ever identical and always varied and this is the reason we love this industry.”

Irfan Younis, chief executive of Creative Oceanic, which organised the awards, said: “The hair and beauty sector plays a vital role in the overall economy.

“It also enhances the local community by employing hundreds of staff.

“The winners reflect the creativity and talent that flows within the hair and beauty sector.”