THE cut, blow dry and thrust of competitive hairdressing came to Swindon as trainees pitted their trims against each other's skills.

About 40 hairdressing students from Swindon College, North Star brought along their own models for the contest.

At stake were three places in February's semi-finals of a national competition run by the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists.

The Swindon heat was organised by Swindon College, North Star tutors Sandy Freeth and Nikki Smith.

Sandy, from Malmesbury, has been a hairdresser for 18 years.

She said: "The in-house contest gave the students experience of competition work."