A HAMPSHIRE salon that is celebrating its 15th birthday has been voted the winner of the Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser's Beauty Therapist of the Year competition.

Call of Beauty, in The Hundred, Romsey, was voted by more than 100 readers and clients as the best of the best when it comes to beauticians.

The family business, owned by Lydia Dalton, triumphed over 17 other Hampshire beauty spots on the shortlist.

Hampshire Chronicle: Call of Beauty team. From left: Andrew Smith, Hayley Moore, Holly Hampton, Nicole Harris and Lydia

Lydia, 39, said: “As a team, we all work really hard and actually enjoy coming to work. It feels really special that our clients agree and were willing to take the time out to fill in the newspaper slip and vote for us. Everyone was all smiles when we found out.

“We were aware of the competition last year and it feels so validating to win it this time. We really appreciate the loyalty of our customers who have stuck with us throughout the cost-of-living crisis. We don’t take that for granted.”

READ MORE: Guy Kremer wins Chronicle's Hairdresser of the Year 2023

The team recently found that of the clients who discovered the business in its first year, back in 2008 when the staff worked from home, 49 of those original customers are still regulars.

Hampshire Chronicle: Call of Beauty's Lydia Dalton and Andrew Smith

Lydia’s father and colleague, Andrew Smith, 64, said: “We always try our hardest and we’re definitely friendly. I think it's that community feel that helped us win. The response has been very rewarding.”

The team is made up of five full-time members of staff, who continue training to keep on top of the latest trends.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 best bluebell woods in Hampshire for a beautiful country walk

Contrary to gamers’ belief the name, Call of Beauty, was inspired by Lydia’s days spent working on cruise ships where the business tagline was “to go above and beyond the call of duty”.

Hampshire Chronicle: Inside the Call of Beauty

After working from home for five years from 2008, the staff moved into a unit in Market Place before settling in their current unit at 86a The Hundred in 2018.

The salon provides services such as nail treatment, waxing, massages, eyelash extensions, spray tans, piercings, makeovers and NHS-funded treatments for transgender patients and sees about 100 customers a week.

Call of Beauty is open 9.30am to 7pm on Tuesdays, 9.30am-6pm on Wednesdays, 11am to 7.30pm on Thursdays, 9.30am-6.30pm on Fridays and 8.30am-1.30pm on Saturdays.

For more information go to callofbeauty.co.uk/.