TALENTED students from Riverside College in Widnes were given the opportunity to work alongside professional makeup artists and hairdressers at the 69th Miss World competition.

One member of the group, from the college's Excellence in Hair and Beauty department, got to style the hair of eventual winner Miss Jamaica during the contest in London.

Riverside College had the honour of being the only College invited to assist at the international event.

The students' work and professionalism was commended by many of the organisers, including Tracey Holt, Head of Standards and Qualifications at Habia/SkillsActive.

Following a fantastic experience working at London Fashion Week in the summer, successful students studying Hairdressing and Media Makeup were chosen from an internal trade test judged by Colin Lapin from Makeup Store Pro.

The excited students set off for a busy weekend in London in the middle of December.

The keen students arrived on set at 9am to set up and assist in preparations for the spectacular event hosted by Peter Andre and Piers Morgan.

The students were allocated different competitors and performers to work their magic on Beth McCann, previously from Wade Deacon High School, styled styling the hair of Miss Jamaica Toni-Ann Sigh, who was later crowned Miss World.

Neave Gahan, previously from St Chads Catholic & Church of England High School said: "I thoroughly enjoyed working at the Miss World Final, it has helped to prepare me for working in industry as we worked under pressure and it was very fast paced.

"We all enjoyed the experience, it was exciting and it showed us where we could take our career and the different opportunities the industry has to offer.

"I feel like the College fully prepared me for the experience and gave me the confidence to put myself forward for the event."

Tracey Holt, Head of Standards and Qualifications at Habia/SkillsActive said: "Working alongside myself and other renown artists and stylists were Riverside College Hair and Makeup students who stayed calm, professional and confident, producing high standards of Hair and Makeup on the Miss World contestants in a demanding and pressured working environment.

"Work experience improves standards and raises aspirations. On behalf of Habia, the standard setting body for the hair and beauty industry, well done to Riverside College students and Course Leader, Gillian Collings."