A BOLTON hairdresser proved a cut above the rest as she beat 250 fellow stylists to win a national competition.

Erika Jackson, who works at the H20 salon in Halliwell, was one of three grand prize winners of the Matrix Destination Fame finals in London.

Miss Jackson, aged 24, will now enjoy a Year of Fame with Matrix, which will involve 12 months of working in London and styling the hair of catwalk models for national hair magazine photoshoots, under the guidance of renowned hairdresser Paul Falltrick.

She was crowned the winner of Destination Fame at the L’Oreal Studio in Hammersmith.

Miss Jackson said: “I just couldn’t believe it when I won. I was ecstatic — I burst into tears.

“When I entered the competition, I didn’t think I would get to the final, never mind win. I just thought I’d go for it and see what happened.

“I’m looking forward to my first photoshoot, because I’ve never done one before.

Miss Jackson has been a hairdresser at H20 since she was 15 — and those who have worked with her say her talent was obvious from a young age.

Her boss Victoria Welsey, owner of H20, said: “I‘m very proud of what Erika’s achieved — I’m absolutely over the moon for her. I became hysterical when I found out she’d won.

“Erika first came here on work experience. Her mum was a hairdresser and, even from her first few days here, I knew she would go far. She was very creative, even at that age.”

Miss Jackson’s Year of Fame will take place at the L’Oreal International Academy in London and includes a Matrix photoshoot mentored by award winning artists, PR and marketing support and the chance to be involved in the Matrix Live Tour.