A TYNEDALE beauty salon owner has hit out at the Government after its apparent mocking of the industry.

It comes after MP William Wragg and Prime Minister Boris Johnson were accused of demeaning the sector during Prime Minister's Questions last week.

"The beauty industry is outraged at the parliamentary debate re. our return to work", said Helen Cass, owner of Total Beauty, in Hexham.

"The demeaning, flippant, jokey behaviour has caused outrage amongst us. It separates the classes, it really does."

She added: "We are more prepared than pubs and hair salons. Our industry makes millions each year for the UK economy. If the Government don't let us open soon, it will be crippling. People will go under."

Helen, who celebrated her 22nd year of trading earlier this year, also had concerns for clients. "Beauty therapists are like mental health therapists and have done courses on mental health and anxiety. We get close to clients, going through births, marriages and deaths with them. People are struggling - it's not just about beauty, more about therapy. They should have differentiated between spas, salons and nail bars."

Helen is hopeful that the sector will soon be given the green light to reopen.

"As always for me, it's about the community. I want Hexham to be back on its feet."