Burnley hairdresser speaks of 'huge' stress of third lockdown as she prepares to re-open her salon

"We have never experienced anything like this before and I have to admit it has been very stressful," said Adele Cockcroft.

"I love my business and I will be working so many hours again to make sure all my clients are taken care of once we are allowed to open.

"But there is a lot of planning and preparation to be done before then."

As soon as the Prime Minister made his announcement on Monday evening that hair and beauty salons would be allowed to re-open on April 12th Adele was flooded with texts and calls from clients eager to book in to get their hair done.

Adele, who is 40, said: "I am grateful to all my clients for their loyalty and for coming back to me.

"It will take some time to get everyone booked in but we will certainly do it. It will be like Christmas all over again but five times busier."

During the first lockdown Adele became one of the thousands of keyworkers across the UK as a community carer.

She got a job within two days of closing her salon, Adele at Fantasia in Lyndhurst Road.

And she returned to that role during the third lockdown, putting in long shifts helping to take care of the elderly and vulnerable across Burnley, Nelson and Colne. She is looking forward to having her first vaccine this weekend and also receives regular tests for coronavirus.

Although she admitted it was 'hardest job I have ever done' Adele said she loved working as a carer and built up good relationships with both her employer and the people she looked after. And it made her realise the vital role carers play in society.

Adele, who lives with her husband Jasper and their little girl, Emily Rose (five) said: "I love taking care of people, it's something that has always come naturally to me."

And Adele was moved when an elderly client at her salon, who she has not seen for three years, got in touch to congratulate her on her care work.

Adele said: "This lady lives in Rossendale so it is quite a way for her to travel but when she read about me working as a carer in the first lockdown she got in touch to say she would be coming back to me when the salon re-opens.

"It really cheered me up and made me smile. It has been such a difficult and challenging time for us all but it finally feels like things may be getting back to normal."