IT's Viva Espana for a group of young hairdressers and beauty therapists as they head for Spain in a pioneering salon experience project.

The scheme is the first of its kind in Wales for work-based learners who will enhance their skills on an all-expenses paid fortnight's visit to Tarragona.

And four of the 10 places have been awarded to apprentices from the Pembrokeshire-based HB Training Wales - Gwen Thomas from Salon K27, Cardigan; Ellen Rees, beauty therapist from Blush, Carmarthen; Katie Evans from Enigma, Whitland and Marcus Scott, formerly of Identity, Johnston.

Marcus - who recently styled actress Helen Flanagan of I'm a Celebrity and Coronation Street fame - is Salon Cymru Welsh Learner of the Year and HB Training Learner of the Year.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge of the language barrier, sharing and learning new skills and meeting new, like-minded people."

The group flies out to Spain in May, armed with new language skills acquired at pre-visit workshops. Alongside their fortnight's work in the Spanish salons, they will take part in cultural trips and social evenings, and get together to present a demonstration on the Best of British Hair.

HB Training Wales currently oversees 80 apprentices working in hair, barbering, nail services, customer service, beauty and complementary therapiesthroughout West Wales.

Said co-director Caroline Howe: "The project is a fantastic opportunity for learners to experience a different culture, expand their techniques, knowledge and outlooks and inspire them to develop further in their chosen careers."

Funding for the project has been secured from the Leonardo Programme, part of the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme, and it is being overseen by ISA Training of Pencoed, near Bridgend, which is the largest independent hairdressing training provider in Wales.