A PAISLEY beauty student has won a national award for her makeover skills.

Kathryn Docherty, 32, returned victorious from the World Skills final in Birmingham after winning gold in the Beauty Hands and Face category.

The World Skills UK competition saw almost 600 trainees and apprentices compete in public to win a coveted place representing the UK on the international stage.

Kathryn, who hails from Paisley and attends West College Scotland (WCS), was placed first in the regional heats in her category in June before going on to win the national award.

She said: “There was a much wider category of skills to showcase in the final competition, such as full leg waxing, underarm and pedicure treatments.

“It was stressful working over two competition days but, at the same time, it was a totally different experience.”

Kathryn, who was up against six other competitors from across the UK in the final showdown, said she was shocked when she was announced as the winner.

She added: “They went through all the silver and bronze categories first, so you were waiting to see if you have gold or nothing - that was nerve racking not knowing.”

Wendy Sheridan-Price, WCS curriculum quality leader for beauty, said: “We want to say how very proud we all are of Kathryn. To win the Worldskills UK regionals, as well as bringing home gold from the Worldskills UK, is a great achievement.”