A KENDAL hairdressers is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

David Graham has been at the same Finkle Street location for the past three decades.

Owner, Graham Jones, believes that it is in part his team's willingness to be innovative that has ensured the salon's continued success.

"We have always tried to bring a little bit more of an edge to hairdressing," he said. "Kendal is just a nice town and it's developed over the years. It's a more vibrant place than it used to be and more cosmopolitan."

He also credits his staff and their 'warm and friendly' manner with clients as part of the reason that the salon has stood the test of time.

"I think I came with a little bit of an arrogance," he said, talking about when he first started working after training at Vidal Sassoon. "I have learnt that it's important to listen to the clients."

And, not only is the anniversary in itself reason to celebrate, but one of Graham's stylists has just reached the final of a prestigious hairdressing competition.

Courtney Telford is only 21-years-old, but she has impressed Wella judges in the TrendVision award with her catwalk inspired looks.

Graham describes the young stylist as having 'an edge' and she utilised this when creating an editorial look on her model, Clare Irving.

"I like to give people a change," she said. "You find that the older clientele are more open to it than the younger clientele.

"It's nice to see people go out with a smile and see their confidence."

Having also made it as a finalist in a similar competition when the salon had only just opened, Graham is particularly proud of Courtney's progress.

"She's developed in to a really good stylist," he said. "For somebody who is still quite young, she knows what she's doing."

Courtney, who lives in Kendal, could not believe it when she was put through to the competition final.

"I cried when I got through," she said. "My dad got up on stage and everything!"

The whole David Graham team will attend the final, giving them the chance to celebrate both Courtney's achievement and the anniversary.