Showcasing their flair for hair amid a buzzing atmosphere filled with the sound of hairdryers and the aroma of lacquer were the talented students of Kendal College's hairdressing department in their annual competition.

Around 35 students grasped the opportunity to display their creativity in categories ranging from fantasy space age to cut and blow dry.

"We think the standard has been very high today," said Brenda Brew, hairdressing programme area leader.

"The work and the effort the girls have been putting in have been unbelievable.

We are really proud of them.

"The students have all found their own models - family and friends - provided clothes and make-up.

They are going for the total look."

Lone male hairdresser in the competition was level three student Jonathan Winn, who took second place with his space age look.

"It's just really very angular, using metallic colours, a very sharp look with silver body armour," explained the Bowness salon owner.

"It's something you don't do very often within salons so it's good to do something of interest and it gives you a bit of a boost really on influence.

I suppose there are quite a lot of spiky styles, such as Victoria Beckham - she used to have hers very spiky, so that's fairly commercial, that very ragged type of look."

Prizes were donated by local companies which included Daniel Gray, Sportsprint, Tantalyze, Jo and Cass, and Seville.