A Watford makeup artist has reached the finals of a nationwide beauty competition.

Laura Hunt is through to the finals of the Professional Beauty Awards. She is one of the final six in the category "Makeup Professional of the Year".

The 31-year-old entered the competition in August last year by sending off examples of her work and setting out her business plans.

Ms Hunt, from Hallam Close on the Reeds estate in Watford, said: "When I found out I was in the final, I felt really overjoyed and delighted as I didn't expect to do as well as I have."

During the competition, Ms Hunt was invited to the London School of Beauty and Makeup to create a 1920s look and be interviewed by the judges.

Ms Hunt added: "The other finalists are very talented so I'm just happy to be in the top six of such a large competition.

"Winning would be amazing but to make it through to the final is a great feeling."

The Professional Beauty Awards is the most prestigious awards scheme for the beauty industry, and has been run since 1997.

Since then the awards has grown in size and received more than 250 entries from spas, beauty or nail salons, employers and individuals in 2013.

The results will be announced on Sunday, February 23, at a glamorous reception and gala dinner held in the Guildhall in London.

Ms Hunt grew up in Garston and attended St Michael's School, before training at the London College of Fashion.

During her career she worked as the lead make-up artist and make-up designer of collections at the Mercedes-Benz Miami Fashion Week Swim 2013.

She has worked on music videos with artists including Tinie Tempah, The Rifles, Enter Shikari, Deaf Havana, Big Deal, Pixie Lott, Lee Ryan & Amy MacDonald and Azari & III.

Ms Hunt has also worked on commercials for brands including Adidas, Starbucks and Nicorette, and with ITV’s This Morning fashion team.