After winning the British Barber Hall of Fame position last October, Mathew Guerin has gone from strength to strength and is now taking his styling skills across the globe.

The owner of Guerin’s Barbers, which has salons in Ammanford and Llandeilo, was invited to compete at the British Barber of the Year awards at Barber UK in Birmingham in May.

Six of the top barbers from around the country were shortlisted and went head to head in a boxing ring in three heats - quarters, semis and then the final.

Mathew, from Llandybie, said: “The first heat was the traditional flat top, all the other barbers used afro hair for this and I was the only one to use straight European hair and this is generally harder to do.

“I managed to pull off the best flat top of my life winning my heat outright.”

The barber then had to go head to head with last year's winner James Williams of Jim the Trim barbers, Britton Ferry who is recognised as one of the leading names in the industry and has won many awards.

“We had to battle it out on the creative cut category,” added Mathew.

“I knew I had to pull out all the stops and had to gamble with something unique.

“I put all my effort in to a reverse drop fade that is very rare and it worked and won me a place in the final knocking out last year's champion.

“In the final I faced Jay Byrne a big name in the industry and we had to go head to head on a skin fade finish.

“I looked up when the final bell went and thought I had won it. My fade was clean and sharp and jays looked low and more of a taper but it must have been what the judges were looking for as he won.

“I was proud to have come second in the most prestigious competition in the country.”

Winning second prize resulted in Mathew winning £500 and over £1000 worth of prizes.

Next to winning first place in the British Barber Hall of Fame last year, this was another massive highlight of Mathew’s career so far.

He said: “Although I am disappointed not to win, I am so proud of myself for being recognised as one of the best in the UK.

“Since the competition the BBA have used my work for professional magazine photoshoots and have asked me to become their new international educator touring the UK, USA, Dubai and Australia teaching and showcasing my work at hair shows and conventions.”