An award winning barber from Llandybie has been recognised for his stylish talents and has qualified to become Barber of the Year.

Since opening his first shop Guerin Barbers in Ammanford 18 months ago, Mathew Guerin has reached massive heights in the barber world by opening two additional shops in Llandeilo and Llanelli, a training academy also based in Llandeilo and has become the personal stylist for footballer Borja Baston González.

Mathew has been passionate about becoming a barber for over 10 years and after originally being self-taught, he undertook a course at Coleg Sir Gar and became officially qualified three years ago.

The barber has just finished second place in the British Barber Association hall of fame for August and has qualified for the finals of the British Master Barber, Barber of the Year competition where he will compete on stage against nine of the best in the industry at the British Master Barber Show in the Aurora Hotel in London this Sunday, September 10.

The British Master Barbers aims to showcase, promote and support the wealth of barbering talent across the UK.

A team of respected barbers, educators and assessors come together with the purpose of promoting the highest of standards throughout the barbering industry.

The competition is one of the biggest in the UK and Mathew hopes that by doing well will enable him to take his services further afield.

He said: “I would love to travel the world presenting educational master classes to help other salons reach their full potential in their profession just like I have in such a short time of being a professional barber.”

“In 2016, I finished in the top 5 of different competitions three times and finished third place in the British Master Barber UK barber battle. I was also voted WAHL UK barber of the week.

“My aim this year is to take home first place.”

Staff members at Guerin Barbers were recognised for their stylish ability at a competition in May to the delight of the Mathew.

"I work really hard training my barbers and I hand over as much of my competition experience as I can to prepare them for events,” he said.

"I was very proud of all three of my barbers and I’m excited about the future of Guerins Barbers and creating more successful competitors."