HAIRDRESSERS are to offer free haircuts to the homeless under a new scheme.

Community group Haircuts4Homeless, set up by veteran hairdresser Stewart Roberts, already operates elsewhere in the country and is now setting up its first sessions in the North-East.

Working with Durham Salvation Army and hairdressing students from East Durham College, the group is setting up monthly events in Durham City.

East Durham College barbering lecturer, Alison Scattergood, has been made the Help4Homeless Durham team leader.

She said: “It’s great to have this opportunity to help offer this event in Durham each month to help give a self-esteem boost to people in need”.

Haircuts4Homeless founder Stewart Roberts added: “Homeless people have many challenges to face, one of them often being a low self-esteem.

“A haircut can have a great effect on someone, giving them a real boost.

“It’s often way down on the list of a homeless person’s priorities so the service proves to be very popular.

“One of people’s basic rights is for them to feel good about themselves and this service can give that to people.”

For more information on Haircuts4Homeless please visit www.haircuts4homeless.com.