A WELL-LOVED Bradford salon has been named the best hair stylists in the region at a national awards ceremony.

Joanne Carson's 'Hair By Jo', on Strensall green in Buttershaw, was awarded the gong at the Yorkshire Retail Business Awards in Leeds.

The unisex salon - which offers different methods of hair extensions and advanced colouring techniques - was one of 200 nominees who were then whittled down to 45 before the winner was announced on Sunday.

It now means Joanne and her team can look forward to the England Business Awards grand final, which brings all the regions together, in Birmingham later this year.

Reacting to the win, she said: "It is amazing to be given the award for best hair stylists in Yorkshire.

"It was an unbelievable feeling to just be named as a finalist, so to win it, it is totally unexpected.

"It is really humbling to see the reaction we have had since winning the award from our customers and others on social media."

Next month will mark three years of Hair By Jo with Joanne setting her business up just before the pandemic hit.

She is super proud of her staff and thanks customers for sticking by them until normality resumed.

She added: "It was crazy. Not even six months into the opening, a lockdown happened.

"We did really well to come through that time.

"Word of mouth has helped us massively to get to where we are now."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Joanne has over 18 years of salon experienceJoanne has over 18 years of salon experience (Image: Newsquest)

Joanne has been a qualified hair stylist since 2005 and has worked in different salons since the age of 14.

The 37-year-old decided to go solo following an idea from her in-laws.

She said: "They reached out to me and asked if I wanted to start my own salon in 2019.

"I ran with the idea and here we are almost three years later.

"I just want to keep progressing the business and then eventually move on to the training side of things."

Read: Salon set to hold celebration event following £30,000 makeover

Asked what the secret to her success is, Joanne replied by saying: "I just come to work and love what I do."

Posting the news on the businesses' Facebook page, Joanne said: "Proud moment having my award in the salon.

"Being Yorkshire's 'Best Stylist' Winner is still so surreal, bring on the nationals.

"To all my amazing clients, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support."