A HAIRDRESSER is on a mission to rescue the public from cowboy crimpers.

Steven Goldsworthy, 38, of Old Town, is taking part in BBC1's Britain's Worst Hairdressers as a judge of the nation's worst hair disasters.

Among the examples he has seen are dye turning hair green and a hair extension accident in which hot glue left a girl with a burned and blistered scalp.

Mr Goldsworthy, whose salon is in Catherine Street, said: "I decided to do the show to point out that anyone can set up a hair salon. You don't need to be qualified or registered with anyone.

"Reputable salons will be members of an organisation like the National Hairdressers Federation or the Guild of Hairdressers, which is what people really should look out for if they go into a new hairdressers." Mr Goldsworthy holds a five star rating in the Good Salon Guide, and tours the world teaching and styling hair for shows and magazines.

He went into hairdressing as soon as he left school and joined the family business.

A three-time winner of the British Hairdressers Award, Mr Goldsworthy also writes for Hair and Beauty magazine, which is where the producers of Britain's Worst Hairdressers approached him.

He said: "I won the award three times and after that you are not allowed to enter any more, but you do get to go in the hall of fame.

"Julian, one of my stylists, won the award this year, so at least the salon has retained it."

Mr Goldsworthy advises people seeking a good hairdresser to follow the advice of family, friends or even strangers whose styles they admire.