A make-up artist from Farnworth, who's worked backstage at Milan and London Fashion Weeks, has received an award for her salon.

Charlotte Cardwell swapped a glamorous awards ceremony for her backyard when she found out she had won Make Up Salon of the Year in the North West last week.

The 27-year-old opened the Charlotte Marie Make Up Studio in Farnworth four years ago.

She was nominated for the award by her clients and then had to submit documents supporting the application, including details of a charity masterclass she held for the Alzheimer's Society.

Having been a finalist at the English Hair and Beauty Awards, held earlier this year, Charlotte was even more surprised to find out she had won.

She said: "It feels so amazing to have this achievement and get recognition for what we do.

"The awards were meant to be held in April and obviously they were cancelled, but when they announced the winners online I was speechless, I didn't expect it.

"I had a glass of bubbles in the backyard with my boyfriend to celebrate, but I think we'll have a proper party in the studio when we reopen.

"It will definitely give us a boost, we can now say we're an award-winning salon."

Since starting her business she's worked backstage at fashion weeks in London, Milan and Manchester and has been a key artist for fashion designer Chanel Joan Elkayam for three years.

The award-winning make up artist has plans to open up a training academy to help others achieve their dreams.

In September Charlotte held a charity make-up Masterclass with Manchester-based artist Molly O'Brien in memory of her grandfather Dennis who had a rare form of Alzheimer's.

She said: "My grandad passed away last June and we wanted to do something to raise money, so I hosted a masterclass with all the ticket sales going to charity which raised just under £500.

"Hopefully I can do something like this in the future."