HALESOWEN hairdresser Helen Tether intends to prove a cut above the rest after brushing the opposition aside to reach the finals of a national competition.

Helen, who runs her own salon on Gorsty Hill, is no stranger to winning hairdressing awards.

The 36-year-old has previously won both British and international titles before taking time out of the trade to raise a family.

Now Helen is back on the title winning trail again by reaching the finals of TrendVision which is both sponsored and organised by hair product manufacturers Wella.

Along with hundreds of other hopefuls, Helen had to send in a photo of a model whose hair she had cut and coloured.

As a result, Helen then progressed to the regional semi-finals where she had to perform on a live model at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham in front of four renowned hairdressers.

She proved one of five entrants chosen to compete at the UK and Ireland final which is scheduled to take place at London's famous Roundhouse theatre during October.

Helen said: “I love entering competitions. It's something that burns deep inside of me and I thrive on it.

“This is the first competition I've entered since the birth of my daughter, but I couldn't wait to get back competing again.

“I've had two previous salons since starting out in hairdressing when I was 15 year old, which is something I've always wanted to do.”

If Helen is successful in London, she will then go forward to compete at the International TrendVision which would mean a visit to Portugal in November.

In the meantime, she doesn't intend to rest on her laurels as she has also entered this year's British Hairdressing Awards, which is the biggest competition of its type.