A SENIOR firefighter is brushing up on his hairdressing skills as he becomes a stylist for a day.

Ken Ball, assistant district commander with Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, will swap his fireman’s pole for a barber’s pole next week to raise money for charity.

Mr Ball qualified as a hairdresser earlier this year and will put his skills to the test at Howarth Hairdressing in the Market Place, Durham on Wednesday, September 18.

From 9.30am to 3pm he will be cutting and styling in exchange for a donation to The Fraja Ellie Appeal and The Firefighters’ Charity.

Mr Ball said: "I’ve always been interested in hair and three years ago I decided it was the right time to learn a new skill.

"I trained in my spare time and in 2012 I became a level three barber and this year I qualified as a level two hairdresser.

"It’s completely different to my role in the fire service but I enjoy it, so the salon day seemed the ideal way to raise funds for local charities as well as the Firefighters’ Charity."

To book an appointment phone 07747482723