MORE than 50 employers attended the grand opening of a state of the art hairdressing facility at Lancaster and Morecambe College.

The Salon, which took a year to develop, is home to industry-standard equipment, flexible work stations and provides an ideal learning environment for students.

The business owners who attended all run salons that employ students as apprentices to ensure that they have practical experience of the workplace.

A catwalk show from Level 3 hairdressing students was the highlight of the event, with Tracie Carrick, hairdressing lecturer, mightily impressed.

She said: "The students have worked so hard for months to choose the music, make-up, developing the hairstyles, outfits, choreography and promote the event. It is hard work and a challenge but as always they have done an amazing job and I was so proud and impressed with the standard of work achieved and their dedication and motivation."

Jo Marwood, stylist at Mrs Lovetts Hair Design in Cartmel, also spoke of how impressed she was with the event and her apprentice.

She said: "I’ve had a fantastic evening at Lancaster and Morecambe College. I was so proud to watch my apprentice, Leanne, in the show. She’s worked so hard over the past three years and it was amazing to see her work on stage. It was great to have a fantastic meal with the stylists after the show as well."

For more information on what Lancaster and Morecambe College has to offer, visit www.lmc.ac.uk