THERE are no drop-outs to be found at Witney's very own beauty school.

About 50 girls at Abingdon and Witney College campus, in Witney, study the art of manicure and massage, and offer treatments to the public for a third of the price charged in professional salons.

The Studio, as the beauty department is called, is in need of more clients as more and more students are enrolling at the every year - and they need subjects to practise on.

The treatments available range from manicures (£4.50), pedicures (£5.50), waxing and facials (£7), to aromatherapy massage (£12.50).

Andrea Hampton, a beauty technician, who helps run The Studio, said: "This department is rapidly expanding. We are getting more and more applications every year from students.

"The whole industry is growing. People never used to spend that much money on themselves and on beauty treatments like facials - but these are now very popular.

"Even men are taking a lot more care of themselves. People are willing to spend money on pampering.

"We need more clients for the students to practise on, and we are very good value. The girls are all fully trained in the treatments they do. But because of where we are, a lot of people don't know about us, and college budgets don't allow for advertising.

"Most of our clients are friends and families of students, and we mainly operate by word of mouth."

She said that when the college was redeveloped, The Studio would be expanded to include a spa and hairdressers.

I visited The Studio for a de luxe French Manicure (priced at £5.50).

Clarie Smith, 17, a first-year student from Carterton, carefully moisturised, cleaned and exfoliated my nails and hands. She applied a moisturising mask, and then put my hands into thermal mitts. She then massaged my hands and lower arms, and painted my nails with painstaking care. Finally, my hands were transformed from being dry, with rather raggy nails, into smart-looking, soft hands.

I arrived at the salon late, in a rush, feeling stressed and impatient, but after the treatment, which took about 45 minutes, and was done in a cubicle to relaxing music - I felt a million times better.

January and February are well known to be the most depressing time of the year. It is cold, dreary, and many of us are in debt, have already failed to keep our resolutions, and are generally feeling sorry for ourselves.

It's the perfect time to give yourself a treat that makes you look and feel better. During my visit to The Studio, I met management accountant Sara Murtagh, of Blakes Avenue, Witney, who was doing just that.

After having her deluxe manicure, she said: "I have booked the day off work for some January blues pampering. It's been very relaxing.

"The manicure was really, really lovely.

"It's good value, and I also wanted to support the girls, as they need people to practise on.

"I knew about The Studio, because I did an evening class at the college."

The beauty students need to practise on not only women, but men too, and are keen to encourage men to visit The Studio for a manicure or any other treatment.

The college is also looking to find more unpaid, one-day-per-week work placements for its students, and any salons or spas which are interested can contact Ms Hampton.

For further information or to book an appointment, call The Studio, on 01993 208093.