A Taunton hairdressing group has become one of six nationwide finalists competing for a prestigious award.

Sarah Hodge Hairdressing has entered the 2012 British Hairdressing Business Awards in two categories – the Marketing Award and Training Award.

The group is also celebrating 25 years in the industry this year and is the only Taunton business to receive finalist status within the awards.

Abby and Karly Whittaker, directors of Sarah Hodge Hairdressing, said: “We are absolutely delighted with reaching the final of this very difficult competition.

“We worked really hard to demonstrate with our entry the amount of work that we put into our marketing and our training – so we are delighted our efforts have been rewarded.”

Jayne Lewis-Orr, publishing director of Hairdressers Journal International, which presents to awards, said: “The judges had a very difficult job selecting the finalists in each category, and it a tremendous testimony to the Sarah Hodge group and their business skills.”

The team from Sarah Hodge will attend the glittering awards ceremony at the Lancaster London on September 17.