TWO women who swap their skills by exchanging free lessons in hairdressing and baking organised via the internet have featured in a national TV show about the web craze.

Rosie Kelly, of Highbridge Street in Waltham Abbey, and Charlene Latchford, who runs two salons in Coopersale and Waltham Abbey, appeared on BBC2's Money Watch this week as an example of how enterprising small businessmen and women are tackling the effects of the recession by saving cash.

Ms Kelly has been teaching Ms Latchford how to bake in return for getting her hair done, all via website swapaskill.com, one of the many sites where people can exchange goods and services to each other for free.

Rosie Kelly, 42, who runs catering firm Back2Baking, said: “You don't realise that you can do things which someone can find very helpful. I'm getting help setting up a blog which I wouldn't have a clue how to do on my own.

“I've been teaching baking, English and French to people in the community and I've received beauty treatments and advice in return.

“It's such a lovely idea. People on the site are very generous and supportive, but I think it does take a certain mindset to do it.

"A lot of the people who take part have their own businesses or work as freelancers, so they have more time and expertise to do things like this.”

Ms Latchford, 28, said: “I think it's a really good idea. It's good if you want to try out a new hobby but haven't got time to go on a course – you can arrange to have a lesson in something whenever it suits you.

“I've tried baking again since the programme and it wasn't quite as good, but I guess practice makes perfect.

“A lot of my customers saw the programme and lot of them now want to take it up.”

More than 140 people from the region are listed on the site, offering their skills in everything from piano lessons to tips on ironing.