Two Pembrokeshire reflexology students are amongst those battling it out in the finals of a world skills competition which starts today (Thursday).

Pembroke mother-of-three Annalea Lawrence, 39, and Pembroke Dock student Nicola Ashby, 31, are both finalists in the reflexology category in the WorldSkills UK final at the prestigious Skills Show, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC.

Pembrokeshire College students Annalea and Nicola are part of a group of nine students from the county attending the final this week.

Annalea has just started employment at her favourite beauty salon, Pembroke Dock’s Total Image.

“I’d been going to Total Image for quite a while, to have my nails and eyebrows done, and I’d always thought the staff had the best job,” she said.

“I’m really excited about competing in the Skills Show – I went last year as a nail model and was blown away,” added Annalea, who has also completed Level 2 in beauty and nail enhancement courses.

“I have three disabled children and I’ve started using aromatherapy oils while doing reflexology on my son Oliver, who’s 14.

He has autism, and since the reflexology, he’s come off his sleep medication.”

Nicola, who recently started her own business, Nikki’s Beauty Boutique, is no stranger to WorldSkills.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s competition. I’ve previously competed in the regional heats and the WorldSkills UK competition in May and I came second place in both, so this year I’m working hard to hopefully be awarded first place.

“I did enroll on the beauty therapy six years ago but wasn’t able to complete it,” she added. “My father, Roger Phillips, passed away five years ago and he always wanted me to follow my dream. He inspired me to go back and get the qualifications and last year I turned 30 so I thought if I don’t do it now, I never will.”