Shakira Slater learned her business sense at her father's knee.

Now 25, she and her sister Charnae have opened a new hair, make-up and beauty salon on the busy thoroughfare of Lowther Street in Carlisle.

The pair picked up their business acumen from dad Bill Slater who started his career at 16 selling from a car boot.

At 56 Bill, who owns Silloth Market, has a string of retail businesses under his belt and was instrumental in helping Shakira and 27-year-old Charnae open their salon which previously housed Coco Bay.

“Dad has inspired us to start the business with the support of our mum Dawn,” said Shakira who lives in Burgh Road, Carlisle.

“I went to Trinity School and when I left didn't have much to show on paper but I had the drive to succeed after watching my dad.

“My first salon was in The Lanes near Debenhams but we outgrew it,” she explained. “Dad saw these premises in Lowther Street and saw it as a business opportunity which has allowed us to expand.”

Slaters Hair, Make-up and Beauty Bar has eight members of staff doing the range of hair and beauty treatments. They do spray tans and also have the latest designs in tanning beds.

Shakira and Charnae are part of the Cumbria's wider Slater's fairground family.