Stylists at a high street salon created some out-of-this-world designs when they took part in an in-house competition.

A cage complete with birds and feathers was one of the more exuberant styles created by the team at Top Notch hairdressers in Gravesend.

The Avant Garde competition was organised to enable the salon’s trainee stylists to gain competition experience but was one the whole team took part in.

Their works of art were judged independently by students from North Kent College and the Saks Training Academy.

Technical stylist Rosie Jenner, who created a floral-themed style, said: “We just held the competition for a bit of fun and everyone joined in.

“It enabled the girls who are training to mark off some of the units for their college course too. It was a really good evening and we may do it more often.”

Natasha Hollowell won the best total look award, junior hairdresser Lauren Jeavons won best mood board and graduate stylist Leah Ripley won best technique.

Others who took part were Thomas Drynan, who styled the birdcage, senior stylist Lucy Scott, who took on the role of make-up artist for the models used, and junior stylist Kloe Clark.

The competition was overseen by manager Jane Gallagher.