THREE partners in a Calne-based barber-shop business have celebrated their first anniversary by opening another branch.

Martyn Penny of Southwick, Deborah Cartledge of Chippenham and Philip Neale of Calne have opened The Barber Shop Trio in The Shires in Trowbridge.

The new shop is in part of the former TSB bank at the Castle Street entrance to the mall. The bank building stood empty for several years before the majority of it was let to Superbook by Trowbridge commercial property agent Brian Fitchett working in conjunction with Derek Walker, of Bath.

The Barber Shop Trio employs six stylists including Calne-based Mr Neale, who will work in Trowbridge one day a week. Although the name is synonymous with a harmonious musical act, Mr Neale is quick to point out that he and his partners will not be singing.

"Barber shop singers are normally a quartet and there's only three of us," he said.

"Although 75 per cent of our customers are men, we also cater for women as most of our staff are barber and hairdresser trained. We can do everything from short back and sides to truly modern fashions."

Martyn Penny will be based at the Trowbridge shop, which is open from 8am to 5pm during the week and 7.30am to 4.30pm on Saturdays. It has six working areas, toys and seats for children and Sky TV.

A Gamestation opens in The Shires this week allowing videogame fans to swap titles and pre-order consoles and games.