A CREATIVE Rossendale hairdressing team has won a prestigious award for styling skills.

The team, from Freddie's in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, was headed by the crew's artistic director Matthew Threlfall.

Matt, who won a place on Schwarzkopf's young artistic team for 12 months earlier this year, saw his photographs make the front cover of October's edition of Hair magazine.

He was accompanied by stylists Danielle Sidley and Jade Lyons who were judged on hair, make-up, clothes, presentation and overall look.

The trio battled it out with 15 other teams from across the north of England to take the Northern 2005 Creative Team Competition award held at Manchester's trendy M2 nightclub.

Professional models Jodie Winfield, Vicky Riley and Vicky Allen from Rossendale with choreographer Jilly Pollit completed the team.

Freddie said: "It was nerve-wracking to see your team up there and not doing it yourself, but they put on a spectacular show and the presentation was amazing, they deserved to win.

"It has helped top off a wonderful year to date. I am very proud of the team and hope we can enjoy more successes of this kind in the future."