TAKING her first steps on the hairdressing ladder have not been easy for Shelley Paddon from Merton, but dogged determination has paid off for the North Devon College 'Part Time Hairdressing Student of the Year' award winner.

A year into her training at a Hatherleigh salon the then 16-year-old Shelley was left without a job when the business closed down.

Frantically looking for a replacement so she could continue going to North Devon College on a day release basis, Shelley approached Gillian's hairdressers in Okehampton four or five times and eventually her persistence won her an apprenticeship.

But it was far from plain sailing for the teenager, who suffered an accident outside work which left her with an injured hand needing surgery.

Eight weeks later, however, Shelley started her training at Gillian's and a year on things are going swimmingly.

Owner of the salon Gill Davey said it was the determination Shelley had shown which so impressed her.

'Shelley wanted to be a hairdresser so much and now she is student of the year,' said Gill, who will be taking Shelley on full-time.

'It's terrific and I am really proud of her.'

The trophy is awarded to the NVQ level two student who has produced outstanding work and shown great enthusiasm for the subject.

'I did not think for a minute I would get it so I was very pleased,' said Shelley, now 18. 'I like to think this will help me with my career in the future.'