A SALON is celebrating a quarter of a century of tending to a town.

Freddie's, of Bank Street, Rawtenstall, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a party for staff and clients to honour the landmark.

The salon opened its doors in 1992 and has become an award-winning business - a far cry from his days as a shop assistant.

Freddie Cunliffe said: "When I was 16, I was working at the local fruit and veg shop. I was so hopeless that my boss took me over the road to the local salon and asked if they could do anything with me. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Freddie went on to apprentice in his Lancashire hometown, then progressed to Manchester to gain further experience.

It was while working here that he moved up through the salon ranks, honing his skills at leading northern names including Pierre Alexandre and John Peers, where he became artistic director, and gained gained the first of seven nominations for the British Hairdressing Awards - the Oscars of the industry.

But then he returned to his Rawtenstall to become a salon owner.

As well as coiffuring his clients, he's featured in industry press like Hair, Hair and Beauty and Hairdressers Journal and local titles such as Lancashire Life and Cheshire Wives.

And it's the fact that everyday is different is what has kept him happy in his work.

He said: “I love how nothing is ever the same. Whether that’s trends, technology or products, things in this industry are always evolving and pushing boundaries. It’s like being under pressure, on stage in front of an audience every day, and that’s why I love it.

"Between us, we have 125 years of experience – I’m proud of what each of them bring to the salon and we couldn’t have made it this far without them.

"In the industry as a whole, the biggest difference for all of us is that everything is now out there on social media. Facebook and Instagram have become essential platforms for hairdressers, which is very different to when I first started out but incredibly exciting.”