A HAIRDRESSER has taken over the salon she started working at as a Saturday girl 17 years ago.

Vanessa Boocock, 30, has worked her way up the ranks at George and Gracie Salon on Moor Lane, Clitheroe ­— starting when she was just 13 years old.

By the time she was 17, Vanessa knew that hairdressing and beauty was the job for her and decided to start training at Blackburn College.

She continued to work at the salon and she has now become the latest owner after the previous one decided to retire.

Vanessa said: “It’s a privilege to be able to carry it on.

“It’s really nice to not see it going and I will hopefully make a success of it.

“If you believe in something and you really want to aim for it you have got to work hard for it.

“It’s been my passion for 13 years since I started college and it has always been my focus.”

Following the announcement that she has taken over the salon, she has been overwhelmed by the response from her clients.

She added: “It’s just been amazing ­— I have had so much support.

“I have also taken on the old owner's clients and they have been so supportive.

“A lot of them have watched me grow up in the salon.

“The support has just been overwhelming.”

Since working at the salon, Vanessa said that very little has changed other than trends that have come through.

However she has started putting her own touch to the salon, bringing in an eco-friendly range of products.

Vanessa said: “I have just taken an eco-friendly organic range, which I would quite like to keep if I can.

“At the minute it's quite difficult being eco-friendly because of the disposable PPE (personal protective equipment).

“I’m trying to stop the spread of Covid but I don’t feel like I am being very eco friendly but I am hoping to get onto more recycling when I can.”

She is now looking for new staff for the salon after the third stylist decided to begin working from home.