BEAUTY therapist Holly Mae Cotterill proved big in Budapest when she took gold there at the EuroSkills Championship.

Representing the UK, the Sling 19-year-old took the top honour for ‘Beauty Therapy’ and the overall ‘Best of Nation’ Medal.

She wasn’t the only medallist from Ross-on-Wye salon Reds Hair Company either, with 21-year-old Gavin Kyte from Coleford also taking bronze in the barbering class.

Holly, who is part of the beauty team at Reds, had to fight hard against some tough competition in the Hungarian capital, performing a range of treatments over three full days.

Supported by her family and work colleagues as well at her UKSkills Training Team, Holly has been an integral part of Reds’ Beauty Team for more than two years.

And Reds director Claire Winnall said: “I am so proud of Holly, she is a lovely girl and totally dedicated to her work. She has worked so hard for this success, she totally deserves it.”

Gavin has been hairdressing at Reds since beginning his apprenticeship at 16.

Now a specialist barber, he has worked hard to perfect his long hair and bridal work to match his talent at cutting and styling.

Linzi Weare, UKSkills training manager, said: “I am beyond proud of how Gavin performed under great pressure from the 25 other countries, including world champions France and Russia.” 

Both Holly and Gavin are continuing to train in preparation for the WorldSkills 2019 competition in Kazan, Russia next August.