A HAIRDRESSER who scooped the jackpot on the lottery has opened her own hair salon - just yards from the shop where she used to work.

Natalie McGuire , 27, was part of a work syndicate which won £2.9million last year.

But after living the high life and visiting places like exotic Mauritius in the Indian Ocean she has opened her own salon - employing three of the other girls in her syndicate.

Natalie, from Castlemilk, said: "The seven of us all worked at Smile Hair and Beauty in Burnside.

"Since we won last year a few of us have had children and been off seeing places and enjoying ourselves.

"People don't believe you when you say you still want to be doing something after you've won the lottery, but you do.

"So I decided to open my own salon."

Called Bliss, the hairdressing and beauty salon on Rutherglen's Chapel Street has proved a hit with locals.

And Natalie now employs her fellow winners Wendy Brown, Megan McCann and Lorna Alexander.

Natalie said: "I'm enjoying running the place.

"I didn't have to worry about the money to set up the place but I went to Business Gateway to help me get to grips with the business side of things - I didn't have a clue about things like tax, or business plans and so on, and it has been great."

David Hughes from Business Gateway Glasgow has been Natalie's mentor since the firm's launch in April.

He said: "It's Natalie's drive and enthusiasm, and understanding of the business, that has helped the salon develop over the past few months.

"She's taken full advantage of all our free services which has given her the confidence and support needed to set up a fantastic business which is attracting new customers every day."

The syndicate members each won £418,000 last year, after a fortune teller told syndicate leader Wendy seven would be lucky for her.

The syndicate was created on August 7 and had seven members - one aged 77 - when it won in 2007.