A DEDICATED businesswoman has scooped a top industry title with help from her devoted clients.

Marie Snapp's business, Panache Therapies, has been crowned 'salon of the year' at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards 2020.

The award is Marie's second consecutive win, following hot on the heels of her 'massage therapist of the year' title in 2019.

Marie has been running the business from Scarlow House in Port Glasgow for the last couple of years, with help from therapist Allana Rooney.

She put the salon forward for the title earlier this year and asked her clients to submit votes online.

Marie, 38, admits she had forgotten all about the plea until she got a phone call with the good news.

She said: "I thought it was someone kidding me on at first.

"I was so excited and phoned everyone I knew.

"I really didn't expect to get a lot of votes during lockdown as I knew that people had a lot more on their minds.

"It means so much to me that people have taken the time to think about us and to vote when there has been so much going on.

"It's so good for us to get this kind of recognition."

Marie started the business from her bedroom four years ago after she asked for a massage table for her Christmas.

Since getting set up in the clinic in Port Glasgow, Marie has built up a very loyal client base and people visit her and Allana regularly for treatments including sports massage, non-surgical facelifts and laser hair removal.

Some clients come from as far afield as Clydebank and Glasgow.

Marie has been working in massage and skincare for many years, and says people now view the treatments very differently.

She added: "Over the last 20 years, massage has totally changed.

"It used to be thought of as a luxury but people now book in for treatments every month.

"Treatments are viewed in a much more clinical way."

Marie and Allana had to shut-up shop for five months at the height of the coronavirus crisis - but were relieved when their clients came flooding back as soon as restrictions were lifted.

The business owner is in no doubt that the loyalty of her customers is helping to make the clinic a success.

She added: "When we were able to reopen, everyone on our books got in touch and we were fully booked really quickly.

"Our clients keep coming back.

"They're amazing and we want to thank them for helping us to win this award."