A salon owner is on a mission to help people in need look and feel their best.

Westlake Hair and Beauty opened last April in St George’s Road, Gillingham. Now owner Danielle Westlake, with friends and colleagues Natasha Atkins, Hayley Moore and Adelle Murphy, is offering payment plans for those on low incomes and free treatments for the homeless.

She said: “We want to be more than a hairdresser. We want to help people. We know what it’s like to struggle and how having your make-up and hair done can make you feel better.

“There are young girls out there who have children and don’t have the funds to have these treatments.”

Coupons are being given to people who are helped by local homeless charities for free treatments.

It will open on the first Monday of every month to everyone but this is the only time stylists will accept the coupons.

A payment plan is also being introduced to help people who cannot afford several treatments in one go. The initial consultation with a stylist will be free of charge.

Clients will then be asked to sign a custom-made contract to pay for the service over a 10-week period. This system can be used for hair colour, cuts and lessons in applying make-up. Danielle hopes to team up with other businesses to extend this offer to gym sessions, lip filler and hair extensions.

The 25-year-old said: “I lost my house last year and had to go to the council for help. We know what it’s like to be skint.

"I have been so broke the only thing that gets me through the day is a bit of make-up. If you feel rubbish and down that little bit of confidence can make all the difference.”

Danielle ran a mobile hair salon for two years, building a good client base before her granddad, Ron Westlake, helped her open the salon.

To find out more visit Westlake Hair and Beauty Salon on Facebook.