A hairdressing student at Coleg Llandrillo has reached the final of a national competition just one year into her course.

Ceri Thomas, a 39-year-old from Penrhyn Bay, has completed her first year of training and reached the final of the prestigious Concept Learner of the Year competition, despite having worked in different fields for years.

Currently, a pharmacy dispenser, Ms Thomas has more than ten years of experience as a rehabilitation support worker for individuals with complex needs and acquired brain injury.

Last year, she decided to change direction and enrolled on a hairdressing course at the Rhos-on-Sea campus.

Just six months into her Level One hairdressing qualification, she reached the finals of the national competition.

Although she did not win, she said that the experience was "amazing" and confirmed to her that pursuing hairdressing was the right choice.

As she works towards her dream of being in charge of her own career, she will be returning to college this September to progress to Level Two.

Ceri Thomas didn't manage to win the competition but enjoyed the experience   (Image: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai)

Ms Thomas said: "I'm really enjoying it.

"I've always had an interest in hairdressing and was going to come to college after finishing school.

"However I decided to go down the A-level route and straight into work.

"Twenty or so years later, with a few career changes, redundancies and a four-year-old in tow, I decided now was the time to do it."

She added: "I can't wait to be fully qualified and start carving out a career for myself that I am going to be in control of."

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While Ms Thomas is keeping her options open as to what she will do post-training, she has expressed a keen interest in theatrical and wedding styling along with vivid colouring.

She said: "If I could make a living out of making huge, fabulous wigs for drag queens, that would be amazing.

"I'm also interested in wedding and special occasion hair, and vivid colouring. So, a lot to think about, and a lot to learn over the next few years."

She also said: "I'm really excited about what my future will hold and where my hairdressing journey will lead me."