Lindsay Jennings talks to the latest additions to the town dubbed the hairdressing capital of Britain.

WHEN Paul and David Patterson first got the keys to their new hairdressing premises in Darlington, they knew they had plenty of work to do.

The building, on Duke Street, had previously been home to solicitors' offices and latterly a health food business. But the dark interior and green carpets were not what the brothers had in mind for their contemporary new hairdressing salon, PaulDavid.

"It was basically a house in the way it was laid out," recalls David, 23, "so we literally knocked almost every wall out to open it up."

Armed with sledgehammers, the brothers set about doing most of the work themselves, ripping out walls to let the light flood in and getting rid of that nasty green carpet. Within weeks, they had managed to transform the building's gloomy interior into a light-filled, modern space - perfect for their new venture.

Clients now walk into a salon with a soothing neutral backdrop, oak laminated flooring and soft, brown suede seating. The brothers, who used to work at Steven Hall Hairdressing in Darlington - a town which has more hairdressing outlets per head than any other in Britain - have put their artistic skills to good use, giving the space a contemporary edge with stainless steel lettering, stripy cushions and red canvass artwork. It is a style which blends old and new.

"We've tried to keep it contemporary but go with the building, so we've kept all the original features such as the cornicing and skirting boards," says Paul, 25. "A lot of people have helped out, family and friends, so we're really grateful to them."

The building is ideal to accommodate their future plans, which include creating a tanning and beauty area upstairs, eventually offering a range of treatments, from waxing and massages to manicures and pedicures. They are also looking into offering hair extensions.

They have been joined in the business by junior stylists Becky Wright and Sarah Sykes and are looking to take on two new juniors. "We don't have a particular kind of client, we've got such a mix of people coming in, of all ages, which we love," says David.

* Paul and David are offering 15 per cent off hairdressing services on bookings made until Tuesday, August 16. Simply quote Echo Offer when contacting them on (01325) 357310. PaulDavid is at 11 Duke Street, Darlington.