A hair salon is proving a cut above the rest after it was nominated for a national award shortly before its grand reopening.

Covid-19 meant hairdressers The Kut Hut in Dartford had been closed for more than three months until last Saturday.

But the unisex salon didn't let a silly little thing like being shut stop it from being shortlisted as a finalist at the National Hair and Beauty Awards.

Owner John Hawkins was surprised to learn of their nomination in the best customer service category.

"Someone had recommended us anonymously," he said. "We were bronze in the Kent Health and Beauty awards last year and finalists at the Dartford Business awards for two years."

Now the store is looking to go one better and scoop the top prize.

It was good timing for the business which reopened on the weekend to its loyal customers in the Copperfields centre, off Spital Street.

Things might look a bit different John says but he added his team is keen to deliver the top class service which has seen them put forward for a national accolade.

"We are asking all customers to wear a mask before entering the salon," he said.

He added staff will also be wearing face guards and idle chit chat, so often a feature of the salon floor, will be kept to a minimum in line with government guidelines.

Other changes have seen the magazine rack shelved and all customers told to wait outside prior to pre-scheduled appointments.

It has been a baptism of fire for salon apprentice Keily Jarvis, who has stepped up since lockdown after previously working as a Saturday girl.

The 17-year-old said she loved being back at the salon and was relishing the pressure of around the clock bookings.

"There is much more going on in the salon," she said. "It is so busy so I feel I'm working and learning more."

At the same time she added how the atmosphere was noticeably different as new rules posed more challenges.

She said: "It has been much more difficult not to speak to customers as much, many of which have that client basis which has been hard to do".

But the apprentice stylist added: "All the customers have been really supportive, they have been really understanding about the restrictions.

"We have to do the best we can to let them know about their appointments."

The Kut Hut Hairdressers are among five salons nominated for the best customer service category as part of the National Hair and Beauty Awards.

These new awards aim to celebrate the best businesses across the UK's health and beauty sectors, ranging from beauty bloggers to tattoo artists.

The winner will be unveiled at an awards evening planned for October.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford