A HAMPSHIRE barber has been shortlisted in a national competition.

Bitterne Precinct’s Pride of the South barber shop owner Paul Tonna beat off fierce competition, making it through to the regional final of Britain’s Best Shave competition.

The 44-year-old will go head to head with 14 other shaving professionals in a bid to claim the coveted South East title of Best Wet Shaving Barber.

If Paul, from Woolston, wins the regional heat he will then go on to compete in the national final against seven top barbers from across the country.

He will have to impress judges on his shave preparation, razor technique, post-shave routine, health and safety and overall efficiency.

The finalists will be pitted against Britain’s defending Best Shave champion Luigi Caterino of The Italian Job Barbershop in Galashiels, who has since gone on to become the official barber for Rangers Football Club.

Paul said that he was delighted to have been chosen after realising that barbering was his true calling in life.

“I have always had an artistic ability, right from a young age, but after trying out art college, I realised that it wasn’t the path that I wanted to take. As a creative person, I was keen to find an alternative that would still allow me to use these skills, and barbering has turned out to be just that. I haven’t looked back since.

“Being selected for the regional heats of Best Shave is an honour, and I’m really excited to have the chance to showcase my wet shaving ability alongside some of the most talented barbers in the region.”

The winner of the competition will land the coveted title of Britain’s Best Wet Shaving Barber 2016, walking away with £500 worth of grooming products and merchandise.

Nick Gibbens, marketing manager at The Bluebeards Revenge, said: “The level of talent in the first year of the competition was extremely high, but our 2015 entrants managed to exceed that to an impressive degree.

“This time around, the bar has been raised even higher, with some fresh new faces proving a real force to be reckoned with for last year’s top contenders.

“Figures showed that the number of barbers performing cut-throat shaves had jumped by a whopping 50 per cent in 2013, and the number continues to rise steadily as we see wet shaving making its way firmly back into favour.”