Hairdresser Meggan aims to show she can cut it with the best

Trainee hairdresser Meggan George, 21, from Washington, hopes the experience she gained in the BBC challenge will help her win 1st Degree Training’s annual competition on September 6.

Meggan is training to be a hairdresser through the firm, which helps young people earn qualifications while working.

She said: “1st Degree Training is amazing and has helped me a lot.

“I’ve been to two other colleges and felt like I wasn’t learning, but I can’t fault 1st Degree.”

1st Degree Training is a member of North East Learning Providers (NELP), which is a network of organisations that deliver work-based training to young people and adults across the region.

Meggan added: “I’m so excited. There are different rounds and I’ve been preparing for a few weeks.

“I feel like I have a second chance to redeem myself and show people what I can really do. I want to win more than anything and I’m a lot more prepared than I was for Hair.”

Meggan starred in the BBC TV series Hair which aimed to find Britain’s best amateur hair stylist.

Although Meggan didn’t win, she did make the final five, and hopes her experience will help her in 1st Degree Training competition.

She is entering the colour, cut, bridal and photography rounds, and says she wants to concentrate on styles that she didn’t do on the BBC series.

Managing director of NEETA, which owns 1st Degree Training, and vice-chairwoman of North East Learning Providers, Susan Briganti, said: “Our annual hair styling competition is always an exciting event, but this year there’s an even bigger buzz about it because Meggan has shown the whole country how skilled she is, so she’s seen as the one to beat.”

The competition will be held at Wallsend Memorial Hall and over 50 learners will be taking part. North East Learning Providers (NELP) is a network of local training providers in areas including Sunderland and Durham.