aJAYNE Plenty is really sitting pretty because she has reached the finals of the 2006 British Beauty & Spa Awards.

The owner of JP UK in The Tything, Worcester, Jayne is one of only six to make it through to the final round in the Salon Director of the Year category, which is sponsored by United Beauty Products.

Understandably, she is delighted.

"This year has been an incredible one for the salon," said Jayne, "and to be recognised among your peers as being one of the country's leading therapists is both a wonderful feeling and a great achievement. It is also gives both our team and clients a real buzz."

Health & Beauty Salon magazine launched the British Beauty & Spa Awards in 1997 to raise the profile of the professional beauty industry by recognising and rewarding innovation and excellence throughout the industry.

"It's been an amazing 10 years," said the magazine's publisher/editor-in-chief Jayne Lewis-Orr.

"The beauty and spa industries have grown and developed and the British Beauty & Spa Awards has grown in line with their development. From the outset, we wanted to recognise and reward excellence, innovation and professionalism by businesses and individuals within the beauty industry. Each year the number of entries we receive are a fantastic testament to the British beauty industry.

"There are so many dedicated and professional therapists, salons and spas in the UK and dedication and commitment to excellence has been shown by every finalist.

"All finalists represent the best the beauty industry has to offer in their chosen area of skill - whether it is body therapy, aromatherapy, customer care, marketing or retailing. Success in this market is not only determined by practical skills, but also by business acumen - and the British Beauty & Spa Awards are designed to reward and recognise both. To achieve finalist status in the awards is a tremendous accolade to Jayne Plenty."

Salons and individual therapists have to meet the strict criteria set for the category they are entering. Their work is presented in a dossier, along with corresponding evidence to back any claims.

Jayne Plenty now competes against five others in the category and the winner is announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Sunday, September 10.