A hairdresser from Leicestershire has been crowned the best in the country after winning a top TV competition.

Chris Appleton, salon director at George's, in Allandale Road, Stoneygate, proved he was a cut above the rest in BBC3's Young Hairdresser of the Year final, which aired last night.

After beating hundreds of crimpers to make it through to the final five, thanks to some serious scissors work in preliminary rounds in Manchester and London, the 26-year-old wowed expert judges by creating unique looks against the clock.

Chris, who has been working for George's since his early teens, say it was "amazing" to scoop the award.

He said: "To get through to the final was brilliant but then to win such a prestigious award, well, it's just fantastic.

"I've always wanted to be a hairdresser, from a really young age, and I've worked really hard. So to get this recognition is great.

"I was inspired by people like Trevor Sorbie and now I want to inspire people too."

The five finalists faced a number of difficult challenges designed to test their skill, knowledge, ability and passion for the job, and were judged by top hairdressers Adee Phelan and Bev C.

Father-of-two Chris said the competition was "intense". "Being on TV is very different to real-life hairdressing," he said. "There's the element of time and the added pressure of the cameras.

"And the judges gave us a right grilling. We had no idea what we were going to have to do before each challenge, so everything came as a shock.

"It's great to win. My children are so proud of me.

"When I take them to school, the mums keep booking in for hair appointments."

The programme, presented by George Lamb, was the third in a series of four programmes each celebrating a different profession.

The TV award is not the only accolade Chris has picked up in 2009, having been selected for the national FAME team, which aims to promote "a new generation of bright young hairdressers", earlier in the year.

He was also short-listed for the British Hairdressing Newcomer title and in the UK's Most Wanted Awards 'One to Watch' category in 2008.

Staff at George's say Chris "totally deserved" to win his latest award.

Bianka Katon, general manager of George's salons in Leicestershire, said: "We're so proud of him.

"No-one works as hard as Chris does with his clients. "He's been here since he was 14 and has worked his way up.

"What's great about him is that his clients mean so much to him and that really makes him stand out."