A HEREFORD hair stylist said she was "shocked but delighted" to be named the best in the West Midlands.

Nickalea Deacon runs Transform with the Colourist in Widemarsh Street in the city and has won an award for best hair stylist in the West Midlands at England's Business Awards held in Birmingham.

England's Business Awards recognises the best in business across the UK, in a wide range of categories.

Transform with the Colourist offers a wide range of treatments from hair beauty to advanced aesthetics.

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Miss Deacon is looking to expand the shop in the near future and is looking to install a training academy in the salon.

She now automatically qualifies for the national "grand final" to also be held in Birmingham later this year.

Miss Deacon was put forward by a member of the public and then once nominated, she was voted for by her customers to win the award up against four other nominees from the West Midlands.

She said: "It was fantastic to be recognised. I never expected to be put forward, let alone win the award.

"It's a great validation of what we do here at the salon, and I am looking forward to the final."