A DYFFRYN Ardudwy barber is celebrating after being crowned the Welsh champion in a national competition to find Britain’s best wet shaving barber – and securing her place in the final round of the prestigious tournament.

Sophie Collins (pictured), based at Soph’s Barbers in Hyfryd, Dyffryn Ardudwy, beat off razor sharp competition from 14 other barbers at the Welsh regional final, held at Salon Services in Manchester in March.

As well as winning the coveted regional title, Sophie, 25, will now go on to compete in the national final against seven other top barbers from across the country at this year’s Barber UK.

The two-day barber show takes place at the Birmingham NEC on 21 and 22 May, and promises to be a bigger and better celebration of British barbering than ever before.

Sophie will again attempt to impress judges from Bluebeards Revenge male grooming brand and industry watchdogs the British Barbers’ Association, on a number of criteria, including shave preparation, razor technique, post-shave routine, health and safety and overall efficiency.

Read the full story in this Thursday’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News