The introduction of a beautician in one of the South's oldest department stores, Elliot's of Lymington, has been heralded as a success.

Beauty by Amanda, run by Amanda Wooster, a qualified beautician and nail technician, was introduced to customers in March 2000.

Since then, the client base for the service has seen a 20 per cent increase each month and Elaine Small has joined as a manicurist.

Jenny Welker, Elliot's managing director, says she is delighted that the service - which along with the traditional nail care, makeovers and facials, Phytomer body treatments, non-surgical face lifts and aromatherapy massage - has proved to be popular with a wide age range of women in the region who want to look and feel their best.