HE'S head of his own academy for hair extensions training!

That's Whitefield salon owner Maurice Abrahams who is harnessing his experience and expertise gained during his 24 years in the hairdressing business.

Maurice (39), is proving he has a head for business by opening his own academy to train stylists in the art of fitting hair extensions.

It's based at his £200,000 purpose-built Maurice Hair and Beauty salon in Moss Lane which used to trade under the Vibelle banner.

He said: "The academy is for the whole of the North West where people can be taught how to fit hair extensions. This is a whole new concept and I've been involved in teaching for the last five years."

Maurice moved into his spacious new salon around a year ago after transferring from other premises in the town.

And it has become a magnet for stylists from all over the country who are being taught the intricacies of hair extensions.

"I've been teaching courses for hair locally and beyond for the past five years," disclosed Maurice. "I've had customers from London and the Isle of Man and I teach as far as Edinburgh. We get people from all over the country.

"I've been fitting hair extensions for eight years now. It's proved very successful and I've appeared on television hair shows and in magazine shoots. This is now another step forward."

For the uninitiated, hair extension fitting is both delicate and skilful, hence the need for proper, strict training.

As Maurice explained: "Clients must have it done professionally. That is very important. In our academy, we have kits made up and those who complete the course get certificates."

The main pre-requisite of this form of styling is to ensure that all the preparation and fitting of the extensions does not damage the hair.

"My hairdressing course involves two days of intensive training. If certain individuals want to spend longer, then they can do so. But after two days they should have all the basics. There are four people to each course."

Maurice brings a wealth of experience to his role as teacher, having worked in a clutch of hairdressing businesses and even abroad.

His seven-strong Whitefield salon is also involved in the full aspects of health and beauty to try to offer a complete grooming service to clients.

The business also harnesses computer-generated technology, to enable customers to see how they would suit various hair styles, and a thermal cutting machine to heat scissors used to eliminate split ends.