A PADGATE hairdresser who worked at the Miss World competition marks 50 years in the trade this year and says she is still passionate about her work.

Miriam Lawton, 65, left school to start her career when she was just 15 years old.

She began as an apprentice with Fred Johnson at Johnson’s hairdressers in the town centre and at that time it took more than three years to train.

“It’s all I ever wanted to do, since I was a very little girl,” she said.

“I love people and you have to be a people person to do this job. It takes passion because it’s a hard job and you have to do a lot of things to keep the salon going other than cut hair.”

Miriam, who has two daughters, a son, three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, said she still enjoys training new hairdressers.

She said she has worked with 57 other hairdressers since she started, including Andrew Moran from Sculpt Hair and Beauty and Stuart Callaghan from Callaghan’s.

“I bet there are very few hairdressers that have stood behind a chair for 50 years. I think it keeps you strong,” she said.

“One highlight was when I did hair at the Miss World competition in 2001 at the Millennium Dome and I was absolutely ecstatic. It was just mad and I absolutely loved it. 

“We were doing hairstyles that were very difficult because it was centred on Asian headdresses and it was incredibly hard work. 

“My girl didn’t win but we had a great time.”

Miriam says she cuts her own hair but always asks her daughter to check it afterwards and she likes to keep up with trends.

“I still go to at least one hair show a year because I’m still passionate about my job,” she said.

“Clients always remember you.”

Tracy Dunn, 49, is one of Miriam’s customers and said she recommends the salon on Manchester Road to all her friends.

“She is a fabulous lady and really trendy.

“I have been seeing her for about two and a half years now — she is just absolutely lovely.

“I don’t think there are many hairdressers or people who don’t know her.”