THREE stylists from a Bewdley hair salon have secured places on an influential national training programme after successfully passing a demanding audition process.

Hair experts Francesca Harmon, 25, Sian Dimblebee, 22, and 21 year-old Kirby Brewer from the town’s Abacus Hair salon, are now part of the two-year L’Oreal UK ID development programme after they finished ahead of hundreds of other stylists from across the Midlands.

The trio passed their auditions after styling and colouring the hair of different models and presenting back to a panel of judges on the look they had created.

After making it through they are now signed up to the prestigious L’Oreal scheme where they will learn new tips and techniques from the country’s leading stylists.

Owners Nick and Allison Ford, who set up the salon 24 years ago, say it is another big milestone.

Mrs Ford said: “Francesca, Sian and Kirby have massive futures ahead of them so we are delighted they all have a national platform to push and develop their skills.

“Everyone knows how passionate we are about giving our clients the best possible service and so the L’Oreal training programme will help take three already hugely talented stylists to the next level. It’s exciting for everyone here at Abacus, and for our clients who will really benefit.”

She added that the High Street-based salon is set to mark its 25th anniversary next year with a series of further investments, a move she hopes will create more jobs in the town. They include renovations to parts of the two-storey salon, a new online store, and making further improvements to the salon’s customer skills training programme.

She said: “We’re looking forward to a really exciting period for the salon as we enter into our 25th year, but we don’t want to stand still. We’re advancing the salon even further in the coming months, both for clients and behind the scenes.

“We’re also looking to add two more people to our 11-strong team who would become part of our own colouring, cutting and styling development programme. Jobs and growth are really important to us as a local employer.”