Budding beauticians and hairstylists at North Lindsey College have been given a chance to take on the rest of the world.

The Scunthorpe college, on Kingsway, hosted its first competition in the subject areas to find potential champions for the World Skills Competition, which is expected to attract more than 1,200 competitors from 50 countries.

Scunthorpe's hopes are pinned on hairstylists Melanie Panton and Vivienne McCullagh and beauty student Sarah Edenbrow.

Students in the beauty department were timed and judged on waxing, manicure, face and make-up. They were then judged by two judges who work in the profession, Helen Argent from Time For You, and Michelle Burton from Shell's sanctuary.

Helen said: "One of the main things I am looking for when judging is client care, making sure they are comfortable at all times. I think competitions like this keep students passionate."

Michelle added: "You need to treat everybody as you would want to be treated. As an industry we have very high standards and we are expecting the girls to work with us one day."

Winner Sarah, who is studying for a NVQ Level 2, said: "We had fantastic feedback to work on for next time."

She said the competition was great and added: "It was really good for morale and getting everyone together."

The hairstylists at the college were given a broad brief to work to.

Claire Indans, curriculum area manager, said: "The idea was to showcase the students' work and to select learners for the World Skills Competition in May. The final will be held in June in London.

"We have been thrilled with the level of work by all students who have worked really hard. We have had some elaborate designs with people adding accessories to the hair and they have all been done with very high standards."

Winner Melanie Panton, an NVQ level 2 hairstylist, said: "I did not expect to win. We had to do a casual to night time hair style. It was a really good competition and I look forward to the regional one."

And fellow winner Vivienne, an NVQ level 1 student, added: "The competition was a great way to see other people's designs and it was good fun."