CREWE barber Steph Hammond plans on using her razor-sharp skills to ensure she has a head start when it comes to keeping men one step ahead.

She has just opened Barberelle barber's shop in Congleton Road in Sandbach to fulfil her dream of launching her own business.

After taking over the building previously housing a laptop shop Steph has turned it into a stylish and sleek barber's shop.

The mother-of-two, who lives at Leighton, says the reception she has received has been "brilliant" and customers are coming in thick and fast.

"I want people to come in and feel comfortable here – it's like an extension of my home," said Steph.

"I hope my customers become my friends. It's important that people feel welcome and enjoy the experience. I try and remember if I have cut their hair before and how they like it done. It's just so amazing opening here – something I've always wanted to do."

Steph, who has been cutting men's hair since the age of 17, has her son to thank for her flourishing career.

For it was just as her son's career in the RAF took off that the former Next store manager found her own career was also about to take off.

"I decided to follow my dream and become a barber to allow better work-life balance and allow me time to visit my son who was based two-and-a-half hours away," added Steph.

"I'm so excited about the future. It's the best decision I've ever made and I'm loving owning my own business."