Patriotic nail art craze sweeps salons

Athletes at the Olympic Games have been showing off their patriotism – on their nails.

And now the craze is sweeping beauty salons and nail shops across the region as women flock to show their support for Team GB.

Swimmer Rebecca Adlington and cyclist Laura Trott have both had the classic red, white and blue on their nails, while Iceland's Asdis Hjalmsdottir and America's Sanya Richards-Ross have also had their national flags painted on their talons.

Hednesford salon owner Viki Hibbs is among those following suit and has the Union Flag and a flash of royal blue on the her fingers.

The 29-year-old went all out as she was today travelling down to London for the Games.

"We are offering the special Olympic and Union Flag themed nails at our salon," she said. "I have had it myself as I am going to watch the women's hockey with Team GB, which I am very excited about. I used to play hockey myself for Cannock so just wanted to do something a bit different to show my support. It is a fun way to dress and it's quite patriotic.

We have had a great year with the Jubilee too and so to be able to capture it this way too shows how proud we are."

Viki, who runs a salon in Cardigan Place, said she had had lots of women in the salon who were not usually sports fans but were getting into the Olympic spirit – and incorporating it into their beauty regimes.

She added: "They are saying they have really got into watching the sports on TV. So I want to carry that on as I have the Union Jack colours on my nails."