A DAY spent on Channel 4's reality soap opera, The Salon, provided all the inspiration Kristy Wood required to open her own place on Gibbs Road, Christchurch.

But the Caldicot woman's trip to the TV show was a surprise arranged by her rugby- player boyfriend, Matthew Spencer.

She said: "I had resigned from my previous job in a salon in Magor, and was feeling miserable.

"Matthew contacted the salon because he knew I was a fan of the programme, and particularly of the manager, Paul.We were both invited to spend a day on the show and were filmed from start to finish. "The twins looked after us, and they were fantastic."

Coming back to Newport, Kristy decided "it was now or never".

She saw the empty shop on Gibbs Road with a 'for rent' ad in the window. "It used to be a blinds shop, and prior to that, a post office.

"It needed a lot of work, but I redesigned it myself with little drawings in a notebook.

"I gave these to a building contractor I knew from Magor, Anthony Marshall, and his team have turned the place into what you see now."

There is still a strong smell of paint, but that hasn't deterred the customers, who have guaranteed the business a vertical take-off.

"Lots of people have stopped me in the street to ask what I'm doing, and when I told them, they booked appointments."

Boyfriend Matthew probably feels responsible for this success and has been rewarded with somewhere convenient to have his hair cut.

After playing for Cam-bridge University, the fly-half from Newport has returned home and joined Lydney RFC.

And while he's under the dryer he can chat to his sister, Rachel, as she has become Kristy's first trainee.

Kristy's own training began about 13 years ago.

"I started by bunking off school to work in a local salon, until my parents found out and there was a big row.

"But we struck a deal that if I would finish school they would pay for me to attend the Gary Henry Clifton Academy.

"It enabled me to complete my apprenticeship in record time and win a few prizes from the Hairdressing Training Association."

Kristy has also trained with the Toni & Guy organisation, and become an ambassador for their products.

But as a salon owner she is remaining independent.

"Providing you've got good stylists you should be OK because the quality of the cut is what most people are looking for."

Pretty soon she'll need a manager.

Perhaps The Salon's Paul might fancy a trip out West?