HERE'S a lady whose skills are very polished -- nail-polished, that is!

For Cleveleys nail artist Helen Saxon has just been awarded first prize in a national nail airbrushing competition held in London.

It was the first time that 33-year-old Helen, owner of Cuticles at Crescent West, Cleveleys, had entered a nail art competition -- and she couldn't believe it when she won.

"Even the judge said she had thought about entering the competition herself but when she saw my work she said she was glad she hadn't," she said.

She was awarded a National Nail Competition 2002 trophy and judges advised her to enter for an international championship in Las Vegas.

Helen has also opened the Lancashire Airbrushing Centre to pass on her nail art skills.