A SOUTHAMPTON hairdresser has proved she is a cut above the rest after being named the new Junior British Hairdressing Champion.

Nineteen-year-old Michelle Riley, who has worked at Trevor Mitchell International in Southampton for the last three years, swept the board at the British Hairdressing Championships in Manches-ter winning three gold medals.

The teenager, of Burghclere Road, Weston, who is pictured with Trevor Mitchell, beat 100 other contestants under 25 to win the contest last month after creating styles from scratch and completing them within a set time limit.

She scored an impressive 299 out of a possible 300 points, and also won the artistic style and sculpture classic sections of the competition.

She said: "I never expected this so early in my career. I could not have done it without Mr Mitchell. He has helped me so much with my training.

"I hope to have my own salon one day, but at the moment I am still learning," she added.

Michelle has now been selected as part of the team that will represent Britain in the world Championship in Moscow next year.