A TALENTED beauty therapist student from North Lincolnshire has made it to the final of a prestigious national competition.

Stacey Darke, 21, from North Lindsey College, is celebrating her tremendous success of reaching the finals of the national Student Electrotherapy Beauty Therapist Award (SEBTA).

The competition is open to all Level 3 beauty therapists who study facial electrical treatments across the country.

Stacey beat off stiff competition from hundreds of entries to become one of six lucky learners to be selected to attend a ceremony at The Grand Hotel in Brighton.

"It was a great experience and I would highly recommend anyone to enter such competitions," said Stacey.

"I felt like a winner even before the actual final because they couldn't do enough for us and they spoilt us with the hotel and restaurant."

Stacey worked extremely hard throughout the elimination process and used all her knowledge from her tutoring at North Lindsey.

After a gruelling assessment progress whereby students had to complete a full facial electrical treatment on a client, an essential skill for therapists looking to work in salons, while being judged, Stacey scooped second place.

She received a beauty machine worth about £900, a £250 personal cheque, a medal and a certificate.

Stacey said: "The prizes from the competition are amazing and I couldn't believe it when I was placed second, it was definitely worth entering."

Hazel Wheatley, North Lindsey College Lecturer, also received a £150 personal cheque and £500 for the college to buy new equipment.

"This is the first year we have entered this competition and were fortunate to be selected for the final in Brighton," said Mrs Wheatley.

"When the results were announced, we were delighted to achieve second place and we felt extremely proud."