HEXHAM holistic therapist Debra Donnelly feels like she has been presented with the Oscar of the beauty world after being invited on a special trip to Germany.

The proprietor of Hands On said: “To my absolute delight, I was picked as an ambassador from this country for the Dr Hauschka skin care company to go to Germany to visit its head office – it was a real accolade.”

Debra, who has been using the company’s natural skin care range for the past 13 years, joined ‘ambassadors’ from other countries across Europe for the two-day visit that included trips round its offices and organic gardens and farm in the beautiful area of Bad Boll/Eckwälden. They also enjoyed a series of talks and exercise classes and an evening meal high up in the nearby mountains.

She was further honoured by a visit from the chief executive of parent company WALA UK, Charles Beardsdale. Debra said: “This is my 30th year in the industry and it was just a dream to be recognised in this way.”