A SALON owner and her staff have stars in their eyes after their second branch in the borough was awarded the best possible ranking.

Sue Johnson owns Academy Hair in Bolton Road — one of the few salons in Bury to have been given a five-star rating from the independent Good Salon Guide.

She is now delighted her new branch of Academy Hair in Holcombe Precinct, Holcombe Brook, has also been awarded the prestigious five stars.

Sue, who has worked in the industry for 25 years, said: “The Good Salon Guide is the long-awaited measure that enables clients to know their hairdresser is a true professional. We are delighted to have achieved independent recognition of this salon’s standards.”

The Good Salon Guide is hairdressing’s answer to the well-known hotel and pub rating systems and sees salons visited and assessed by professional inspectors.

There are approximately 36,000 salons in the British Isles – of which around 2,000 are in the Good Salon Guide, established in 1993.

Dawson Penn, Chairman of the Good Salon Guide, said: “I am delighted Academy Hair has succeeded in reaching the standards required.

“The Good Salon Guide highlights the professional status of hairdressers and will ensure clients can have confidence in their choices.”

The only other salon in Bury to have been awarded five stars by the Good Salon Guide is Antony for Hair Partnership on Tithebarn Street.

The star had four stars for around four years before achieving the coveted five star status earlier this year.

Owner Antony Popadic said: “The Good Salon Guide is a kite mark for quality – it assures customers we are a professional business and that they are getting consistency when they come to us.

“There are a lot of salons out there, but not all of them are good.”