ANYONE around the negotiating table with union chief Simon Jones will be seeing red -- but not because of any strong-arm tactics.

Simon, secretary of Blackburn with Darwen National Union of Teachers, had his hair dyed bright red and is expecting to raise an eyebrow or two over the coming weeks as he goes about his business.

Simon, 35, is the NUT representative for Lancashire and the Isle of Man.

In the coming weeks he will attend numerous meetings, including the Lancashire NUT annual general meeting and the NUT annual conference in Harrogate. He will also represent a union member in a harassment case.

The stunt came about after Simon joked with headteachers Liz Beaumont, of Cedars Primary School, Hawthorn Street, Blackburn, and Justine Chadwick, of St Mary Magdalen C of E, Devonshire Street, Accrington, along with Christine Seddon, co-ordinator for refugee children in Blackburn with Darwen, who are all redheads.

Simon, of Blackburn, said: "They were saying: 'You can't be in our gang because you haven't got red hair'.

"With Comic Relief coming up I thought it would be a good time to get it dyed and try to raise some money."

But in his role as the area's teaching union representative, he sought advice from Blackburn with Darwen's education chief Peter Morgan.

Simon said: "I had a meeting with him and at the end I asked whether he would regard it unprofessional for me to go around with red hair when dealing with serious education issues. But not only did he not disapprove, he said he'd sponsor me.

"He had the chance to get me off the hook but he didn't take it. It was really up to him and I blame him entirely."

Simon was then off to the hairdresser on Saturday morning and had the permanent colour put in. It will last until the hair grows out.

Simon hopes it will still be red by Easter.

He said: "We're not talking about red hair in the normal sense here, it's bright red, as bright as a red nose.

"I have four kids aged six and younger who love it and want their hair doing the same way, but my wife, Karen, is less impressed.

"I have no idea how much money there will be in total but will be disappointed if it is not more than £500."

Peter Morgan, director of education and lifelong learning said: "As a lifelong Evertonian, I was dubious about sponsoring the choice of hair colour and would have been happier had it been blue. But I am delighted nevertheless to support this excellent cause."