THE Winter Gardens played host to a pretty hair-raising event last weekend .

Hair stylists from all over the British Isles were in Blackpool on Sunday and Monday (March 21 and 22) for this year's International Hairdressing Championships.

And the championships turned out to be a record breaker, with more than 700 stylists taking part in a variety of events.

Hair and beauty companies were also on hand to display the latest products. Championship director Dorothea English said: "It was fantastic. We had 744 hairdressers taking part during the two days, which is a world record. The event was very well attended, and the standards were terrific this year, especially in the junior section."

St Annes hairdresser Teresa Graham had every reason to celebrate when she won the Times Past trophy, awarded for the best nostalgic hairstyle.

Teresa, of St Patrick's Road South, recreated the late 18th century Marie Antoinette look and scooped the £100 prize. She said: "I'm elated. It's the first time I've entered. I had a lot of backing from friends and family who said I would walk it, but I didn't believe them! I was in tears when I found out I'd won. It's better than winning the lottery."

Competition for the male and female championship titles was as fierce as ever, with top hairdressers vying for the £1,000 prizes. The Ladies' British International Championship was won by Claire Weare from Gloucestershire, while Chris Brinicombe from Cardiff won the mens' trophy for the second year running.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.