A TEENAGER is getting a head start with her future career plans to work in the beauty industry.

Amber Shah has proved she has a natural flair and ability to become a beauty therapist after she was awarded a top prize.

The 15-year-old Witton Park High School, Blackburn, pupil picked up Blackburn College’s Young Beauty Therapist of the Year title at a special event.

Amber had been giving up Saturday mornings to attend a series of masterclasses to learn some of the tricks of the trade.

And her hardwork and dedication impressed staff at the college who ran the classes.

Amber was shocked when she was announced as the winner of the award.

She said: “I never really thought about winning a prize, I just thought it was a good chance to learn new skills and techniques.”

Amber added: “This is what I would like to do when I leave school — I’ve always been interested in the beauty industry.

"That’s why I decided to get involved in the classes in the first place.”

Sue Postlethwaite said Amber ‘deserved a lot of credit’ as she was up against a group of talented youngsters.

Amber was among a group of students from schools across Lancashire who took part in the classes under the watchful eye of the college’s hair and beauty lecturers.

Sue Postlethwaite, who organised the sessions, said: “Amber deserves a lot of credit for the award because the standard of all the young people who took part was excellent.

“They all worked hard to create a final look on the last week; giving the judges a hard task to select a winner.”