A TALENTED Basingstoke barber is vying to be crowned the best British barber.

James Bradbury, who is a two-time winner of the UK Barber Battle, is now looking for tougher competition to test himself and to display his unique hair styles.

The mobile barber, from Popley, has already been ranked in the top six barbers in the competition, which is run by British Barbering Association (BBA).

He will now take part in the final held at Birmingham’s NEC on May 22.

“I submitted three different cuts to the competition not really thinking much of it,” said the 28-year-old.

“Then one day they called me and told me that I had made the top six which I could not believe.

“This is the first bigger competition which I have entered so I wasn’t really expecting anything.”

Judges at the competition will critique James’ cuts on style, suitability and unique flair.

At the live final James will have 30 minutes to produce any style that he believes best showcases why he should be crowned the British Barber of the Year.

If the barber, who runs his own mobile company JSB Barbering, was to be crowned the country’s top barber he would also win £2,000 and £500 worth of men’s grooming products.

James is going into the competition just hoping to use it as an opportunity to network and showcase he talents.

He added: “I always go into these competitions expecting the worse and hoping for the best.

“I just have to give it my best shot and let the haircuts speak for themselves.

“When you are passionate about your job like I am, you always want to strive for more, so that is why I keep entering these competitions.

“This will be 100 per cent the first step in pushing myself even further.”