A HAIRDRESSER with more than 30 years' experience in the industry has opened a new salon in a busy west Dorset town.

Allison Spencer, who lives in Wynford Eagle near Maiden Newton, has thrown open the doors to Spencer's, located at No 2 The Square in Beaminster.

The salon takes over from the Little Boutique clothes shop, which closed down earlier this year.

Ms Spencer hails from North Wales where she had her own hairdressing business for 17 years in Snowdonia.

She has lived in Dorset for about 18 months after moving on from Colours Hair Studio in St Andrews Road, Bridport.

Spencer's opened officially on March 16 in the thriving west Dorset town square which is home to several independent businesses.

Ms Spencer told The News that she spotted the shop lying empty and decided to take the plunge and delve back into her own hairdressing business.

"I was working in a salon in Bridport and I just decided that I wanted to do my own thing," she said.

"This shop became available for rent and so that is what I decided to do. I am not familiar with the area and I had never been to Beaminster before, but I just went for it."

Ms Spencer is also a mobile hairdresser and says she has been welcomed into the west Dorset town with open arms, while her Bridport clients have followed her to Beaminster.

She is also due to employ a local full time hair stylist later in April to help her in the salon.

"It has been really good, I have had a lot of positivity and support from local people I have never met," the hairdresser said.

"I have got a good base [of clients] and I am really enjoying it. So far so good and I am sure it will get better. It is a very busy little place.

"I would like to thank the people of Beaminster and all the clients who have followed me here."

Spencer's is open six days a week and there are also plans to offer sports massage therapy at the salon in the future.