Cut out for a top award.

A TOP Teesside clipper is in the running for a national title.

Middlesbrough hairdresser Lee Spencer has been shortlisted for the British Hairdressing Business Awards.

He is one of just six finalists from across the country vying for the prestigious manager of the year title.

He is up against major names in the industry including TV hairdresser Sean Dawson.

"I was surprised when I heard," said Lee of Eaglescliffe. "But I do believe I deserve it!" With 25 years of hairdressing experience Lee opened his own independent salon, Imagine Hairdressing, with wife Heidi in July last year.

The salon now employs 10 staff and the couple hope to go on to open four more salons.

News of the national award comes just days after the hairdressers on Albert Road celebrated its first anniversary.

Lee said: "I am really pleased to get through, I wanted the application to read and sound like me. It really came from the heart."

He will now face a panel of judges before the winner is announced at a London ceremony in September.

There was further hairdressing success for Teesside with Middlesbrough's Contemporary hairdressing salon, which will go forward for the BHBA's Training Award.

The husband and wife operated franchise has launched a training academy with more than 80 learners from 25 North-east salons taking advantage of NVQ Level 2 and 3 awards while advanced training is offered for Contemporary's in-house staff.

CAPTION(S):

HEAD MAN: Lee Spencer of Imagine Hairdressing