A HAIRDRESSING team proved they were a cut above the average by winning three gold awards in a national competition.

The team, from Ekko, in High Street, Banbury, went head to head against salons from across the country at the British Hairdressing Championships in Newcastle.

Salon owner Beverley Bates won creative stylist, art director Julia Allen won glamour stylist and 17-year-old Jake Berry won gents' creative stylist.

Hairdressers Jane Thomas and James Boswell also came in the top five in their heats.

Mrs Bates said: "The team have worked really hard this year - trips to Berlin, Paris and Rome to watch and train with the top people in our industry and the study of oncoming fashion trends have progressed our work immensely, and I am so proud of my team's achievements."