Hairdressing and beauty students at CedarBridge Academy demonstrated their skills during an afternoon of pampering yesterday.

The schoolgirls invited Ministry of Education officials, teachers, parents and even a politician to get their hair done or indulge in a facial or manicure courtesy of the CedarBridge salon.

Nine senior four students who have all just passed their City and Guilds Institute of London hairdressing certificate ? three with distinctions, three with credits and three with passes ? after sitting it six months early, dressed the tresses of about 15 guests, including UBP MP Suzann Roberts-Holshouser. They also offered facials, while pupils from senior two and three provided manicures.

Personal care teacher Janet LePage said the treatment session was a huge success. "The students basically wanted to show what they could do," she said.

"It was great. We are all tired because it was a busy day. But one of the students has just walked out and said: 'That was a really great afternoon'. The girls did a wonderful job. I'm really proud of them."