INTERNATIONALLY renowned hairdresser Daniel Neaves launched a new salon in Fordingbridge on Friday and invited guests to an open evening.

The salon in Provost Street, which was formally known as Paragon, has been totally refurbished and renamed DKN Hair.

Mr Neaves (31) won the Fellowship of British Hairdressing in 1997 and has been involved with London Fashion Week, the World Hair Congress and the Clothes Show.

He has worked all over the world and regularly runs educational seminars and shows for haircare companies.

DKN Hair is his first business venture.

When asked why he chose Fordingbridge, he said: "Why not? It does not matter where you are, everyone wants to look good.

"And Fordingbridge is a beautiful place I have fallen in love with it."

Mr Neaves still travels he has just returned from Iceland where he launched a new styling range.

The salon has an outdoor heated courtyard and caf area, where clients can relax before or after having their hair done.

The interior is minimalist with Italian furniture and there are PlayStations to keep children amused.

The makeover took just two weeks.

"Clients are very important to us we want them to be part of the business," he said. "We all live such a fast life so we need to come somewhere like this and relax."

Mr Neaves plans to continue his training role and hopes one day to set up a training academy as well as more salons.

The salon has nine staff, two of whom are juniors, but Mr Neaves is keen to take on more.

He says he wants to encourage more people to choose hairdressing as a career.

"I have been fortunate to get where I am in 15 years," he said.

"And I want others to be able to do the same."