FORMER barber Sergio Solazzo is leaving his scissors and comb behind him and looking forward to a thoughtful future.

He has been well known for taking care of people's hair in Bacup for the past 18 years at his shop in Market Street, but now he wants to look beneath the fringe and take care of people's minds.

The father of two said: "I realised I had to go in this direction and I just thought it was now or never.

"I never saw myself as 'just a barber' -- that was something I did. Now I want people to see me as a new person who is hopefully going to inspire others."

Sergio, 44, of Meadow Way, Bacup, spent three years studying psychology and has a hoard of books on all aspects of the science.

He is planning to hold seminars entitled 'Awaken the Power Within' to help people realise their potential. He said: "I will combine the knowledge I have built up after years of working with customers with the studies I have completed and I have devised my own seminar, which encourages people to reach their maximum and empower them.

"I can also do hypnosis and am happy to arrange one-to-one sessions with people who want help to stop smoking, lose weight or suffer from insomnia."

In his days off from the barber's he has been successfully mentoring pupils at Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, and he will be continuing with that voluntary work.

As a founder of EnTrance professional theatre company, Sergio hopes to follow in his son Daniel's footsteps and become a TV and film extra. His daughter Madelaine is a professional actor bidding to get work in London while Sergio's wife Carole is a radio scriptwriter for The Archers.