West Suffolk College students Oli Norman and Lucy Wilding, from Elmswell and Stowmarket, win at Association of Hairdressers and Therapists contest

Two young people from Suffolk claimed top honours at a prestigious national hairdressing competition held in Blackpool.

Oli Norman, from Elmswell, and Lucy Wilding, from Stowmarket – both students at West Suffolk College – came first when going up against the cream of the croppers at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists annual contest last month.

Oli, 21, scooped top honours in the creative cut contest, while Lucy, also 21, beat 27 students and came first in the ‘bridal hair up’ section.

Both had to negotiate a regional heat in Stamford, Lincolnshire, before making their way to Lancashire for the finals.

Oli – who has two salons, one in Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, and one in Elmswell, called On Point Barbers – is just about to complete a level three apprenticeship at West Suffolk College and will start teaching there from September.

He said: “I have always had a passion for barbering and studying at the college feels like you are working in a professional salon.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here and I was shocked to win this title. It will help getting national acclaim. A few well-known barbers congratulated me. It’s been good for networking and for my social media profile.

“Long term my goal is to have a shop in London. My aim is to keep building my brand and I’m looking forward to teaching.”

Lucy, who has studied at the college for three years whilst working for Charlie Milz Hair and Beauty in Stowmarket, said: “I’ve had loads of support from West Suffolk College. They have encouraged me to always enter competitions. Winning this was insane. Someone said ‘my face was a picture’ when they announced that I’d won.

“Some people saw my work on Instagram and now want me to do their wedding hair.

“I love where I work and I hope to become a specialist in colouring in the future. It would also be great to cut someone like Kim Kardashian’s hair.”

Jo Doward, a hairdressing lecturer at West Suffolk College, said: “As a department we are producing students who are regularly reaching, competing and winning national finals. It makes us very proud.”