AN INVERNESS hair salon has been awarded five stars by the UK’s only independent guide to quality hairdressing.

Ego Hair Design in Kenneth Street is one of only six salons in the Highlands to be named on the list compiled by the Good Salon Guide.

Last night owner and salon director Caroline Ravenhill said she was delighted to receive the commendation six years after she first opened the store.

She said: “I started out on my own with two people renting chairs from me. Now there are seven stylists and three junior staff.

“We are just really delighted to have this especially as we are quite a small salon and we’re out of the city centre. But we’ve worked really hard to get it.”

The Good Salon Guide sends “mystery shoppers” to hairdressers around the country to rate them on 45 criteria. They are then awarded three, four or five stars.

Other five star city hair salons to have made the list include Hair Directory in Bridge Street and Balloan Park; Haircraft in Church Street; Leslie Hairdressing in Eastgate; The Gallery in Cradlehall Court; and The Head Gardener in Church Street.

The Strand Salon in Fort William also makes the prestigious list with a three star rating.