Hairdressers and barbers could soon offer a lifeline to sufferers of domestic abuse who confide in them during a haircut.

Slough Borough Council is offering specialist training aimed at helping them spot the signs of domestic abuse and showing them what to do next.

Cllr Mohammed Nazir, council cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “This training can potentially save lives.

“Men and women relax once having their hair done and often confide in their hairdressers about their relationship issues.

“Some hairdressers have actually seen marks on clients shoulders and necks and would like to feel more confident in asking about domestic abuse and how to help.”

Salons reopened today for the first time since lockdown was introduced.

A new webinar has been set up to show the professionals who work in them to spot signs of domestic abuse and enable them to offer confidential advice about how to access help with local or national charities.

The webinar training lasts just 50 minutes and could lead to a client getting the help they need and deserve.

In the UK one in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse. Two women are murdered each week and three take their own lives.

The free webinars will take place on Monday, July 27 at 2pm and 7pm.

They are for hairdressers, barbers and stylists working in the Slough area and can be booked by emailing details to corletta.rolle@slough.gov.uk. Participants will receive a training certificate.