COLLEGE students have shown off their skills in make-up and body art at an inaugural regional show.

A lecturer and students from Accrington Rossendale College took part in the the first Make-up and Body Art Expo at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

This event was designed to showcase the talents and skills of northern artists.

Janette Rawstron, a media make-up lecturer at the college, demonstrated body art techniques and promoted courses available at the college.

She was accompanied by two students who had just completed their Level 3 theatrical and media make-up course at the college.

Rachel Coates has gained a place at Manchester University to do a make-up degree, while Stephanie Riley is going on to start her career as a freelance make-up artist.

Paul Coppack from Accrington-based Shooters Media, who delivers some areas of the media courses at the college, also represented the college and promoted the Pennine Film Festival.

Ms Rawstron said: “This was such a good opportunity for both myself and the students to meet some amazingly talented make-up artists, such as Shaune Harrison, as well as getting to meet people interested in joining us on our courses.”

Ms Rawstron hailed Essy Van der Vlies, who took time out of her very busy modelling career to help with this project, saying: “She is an inspirational strong woman and this came across in the images.”

The event was organised by Sharon Ball, who does some media make-up teaching at the college in Accrington.

She said: “The idea of the event was to showcase northern artists, to bring northern-based make-up businesses together in a gathering and rare opportunity to network with peers.

“It was a lovely gathering with all interacting and making new connections.

“It showed that it’s not so grim up north, it’s colourful, creative and its artists are to be championed.”

Garth Maunders, an actor who posed for Shaune Harrison as he carried out a devil prosthetic demonstration, said: “It was a fantastic day, well organised with creative friendly people who made an effort to be helpful.

"I loved it and would definitely do it all over again.”