A REDDITCH barber has made it to the shortlist of a national competition to be crowned Britain’s best wet shaving barber.

Haider Alsohaini, of Bella Barba on Evesham Rd, is in the regional finals of Britain's Best Shave.

Haider beat thousands of other top barbers to land a place in the regional final, which takes place at Birmingham's NEC in March.

Speaking about when he found out, he said: "I was surprised when I was told I was in the top 30, then the top five.

"It's a nice feeling to be appreciated, even though that's not the main reason I do this.

"To me my work is not a job. I love it. Everyday is different and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else."

From the second-hand picture frames that adorn his salon walls to the recycled scaffold boards made into tables, which he designed and made himself, Haider prides himself on everything being perfect.

The former interior designer, who moved to Redditch 10 years ago, admitted he sees cutting hair as an art form.

"I see hair as a canvas," he said.

"I'm in love with it as much as I am with drawing and painting.

"When people come to my shop I want them to have an experience - not just a trim or shave."

He added: "I always wanted to be a barber to restore some old traditional grooming values back to the community where I worked.

"I also wanted to create an establishment with an environment where men can come and feel special, get pampered, enjoy quality surroundings and feel totally relaxed.

"I've achieved that with Bella Barba."

For more information on the competition, organised by men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge and the British Barbers’ Association, visit bluebeards-revenge.co.uk.