Bristol schoolgirl Ellie Quirke has won a national hairdressing title.

She has been named Habia Young Apprentice of the Year, following a hotly contested competition against emerging stylists from across the country.

Habia sets standards for the hair, beauty, nails and spa industries, and each year it recognises an outstanding young apprentice who shows promising talent and skill.

Ellie, 15, from Whitchurch, is a student on City of Bristol College's Level 2 Diploma course in hairdressing. She reached the final stage of the competition on the strength of a long hair look she created on a mannequin head. She submitted photographs of the look, along with a storyboard and written statement, which impressed a judging panel from L'Oreal.

Ellie attends college for one day a week, spends another day on a work placement and the rest of the week at the Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe.

Students on the college's hairdressing courses learn all practical aspects of the trade and are encouraged to enter competitions and visit national hairdressing events on a regular basis.