A TALENTED town teenager proved she was a cut above the rest at a coveted hairdressing competition.

Scissors happy Louise Martin, of Harvington Road, came first in the Birmingham Inter-College Hair Styling Competition.

The trainee, who works at her family's Chapel Street salon, Scruples, won new tools of the trade in recognition of her efforts.

Her 16-year-old sister, Joanne, was a patient model for Louise, whose theme for the event was a woman attending a ball for the first time.

Louise, aged 17, competed with trainees from leading salons.

She said: "It was a nerve-wracking experience and I was shocked to win.

"I hope to enter other contests in the future."