Holly-Mae Cotterell, 18, from Ross-on-Wye, who trains at Reds Hair Company, has recently won a Gold medal in the ‘Beauty Therapy’ category at The Skills Show at the NEC.

Gavin Jon Kyte, 19, who also trains at Reds Hair Company, Ross-on-Wye, won a Silver medal in the ‘Hairdressing’ category.

Holly-Mae told the Ross Gazette that it was an “absolutely amazing feeling” to win gold in beauty therapy.

“I didn’t expect it so I was very shocked to see my name go up on the screen. I’ve worked very hard to get this far, staying late after work and basically having no life, but it has paid off so it was all worth it. Going for WorldSkills in Kazan is my aim so hopefully I can do that.”

The West Midlands’ most talented young tradeswomen and men were crowned the nation’s number one at the climax of The Skills Show at the NEC, where a record numbers of spectators, totalling nearly 80,000, thronged the thrilling three-day interactive event organised by WorldSkills UK.

Almost 500 young apprentices, exponents of 55 disciplines - as diverse as Aircraft Maintenance to 3D Game Design, Cabinet Making, Plumbing to Beauty Therapy and Cyber Security - took part in the National Finals.

Competitors from the West Midlands won eight Gold, six Silver and one Bronze medals.

Many of the winners now have the opportunity to go forward and be considered for Team UK selection and represent their country in forthcoming international finals in Budapest and Kazan in Russia.