When Emily Davies was laid off during the pandemic, she decided to pursue a long-held dream of becoming a beauty therapist.

The 24-year-old, from East Runton, said: "I used to work on the phones, helping people get compensation for mis-sold pensions.

"But I'd always wanted to do beauty therapy, and I thought if it was ever going to happen, that was the right time."

And just over a year after opening the salon - called The Cabin of Beauty - in an old summer house, Ms Davies' placed 22nd in a 'best beauty therapist of the year' category in the Hair and Beauty Awards, out of thousands of applicants.

North Norfolk News: Emily Davies, who launched the Cabin of Beauty last year.Emily Davies, who launched the Cabin of Beauty last year. (Image: Supplied by Emily Davies)

She said the business was just as much about helping people with their inner wellbeing as much as their outer beauty.

Ms Davies said: "Mental health is very important to me so making sure that all of my clients have a safe space to chat to me about anything is crucial and they know that I'll do what I can to help them."

Ms Davies, who offers facials, hot stone massage, brow and other treatments, can be found on Instagram @cabin_ofbeauty.

North Norfolk News: Emily Davies at the Cabin of Beauty.Emily Davies at the Cabin of Beauty. (Image: Supplied by Emily Davies)