A salon that specialises in giving apprentices a chance has bagged itself a London award.

Pure Hair and Beauty of Windmill Hill, Enfield, won a silver award for business success in the London category hosted by business awards company, Scoot.

The salon, which was revamped in 2010, has prided itself on taking on apprentices and helping them into the world of hair and beauty.

Owner Tas Panteli started the firm when the previous salon was selling on its lease and Mr Panteli spoted an oppotunity

He said: “I took over when the business was selling up and I wanted to keep a salon going in this space.

“It was hard to begin with but we have been able to transform its fortunes and now this award means so much to us, we are very proud.”

The awards company invited more than a million businesses from across the UK to take part and send a letter in explaining their success stories.

Mr Panteli added: “We had a big discussion about why we should enter and whether we thought we had a chance.

“Now we are delighted that we took it upon ourselves to enter and clearly they were impressed with our story.”

The salon has also won the best London salon with English Hair and Beauty Awards.

The small business currently has three apprentices and is on the search for more budding hairdressers to join.