A LEADING county hair salon has appointed two new apprentices as part of its expansion plans.

Bewdley-based Duce & Romao, which this year celebrates its sixth anniversary, has increased its team to six through the double apprentice hire.

Kidderminster-born Sophie Knowles, aged 17, has joined the Load Street salon and will work alongside owners Laura Duce and Annabell Romao, while also working through her hairdressing qualifications at Kidderminster College over the next 18 months. Also joining the salon is 18 year-old apprentice Bianca Southall. Miss Southall, who comes from Bewdley, will also spend the next 18 months working and learning on the salon floor while attending a training academy in Birmingham to gain her qualifications.

Laura Duce said: “Over the past six years we’ve made it our priority to ensure we provide a first-class level of customer service to all our clients who come from across the region. That means we need the right people to work within the team and Sophie and Bianca are already fitting in perfectly. They are both at the start of their careers but have the personalities, energy and passion we look for. They are excited to be gaining experience in a busy salon and are also learning so much on their courses.”

The two new jobs are the latest in a long line of good news for the salon. In April Miss Romao became one of the country’s few Wella Master Colour Experts, while for five years in a row it has qualified for the regional finals of the Wella Trend Vision Awards. Miss Duce added: “It’s an exciting time for us at the salon as we approach the busy Christmas period and what’s shaping up to be a fantastic 2017. To move into next year with another two people in our team sets us up perfectly.”