Hairdresser makes waves after being crowned youngest competition winner.

He began by cutting his schoolmates hair for a couple of pounds a time - he's now hoping to be a household name of the future.

Peter Burkhill has become one of the country's top stylists - and he has only just turned 18.

Peter has fought off competition from hundreds of others to be named one of just six Clynol Protégées - an award scheme which recognises hairdressing's brightest stars in the making.

The youngest ever person to win a place on the team, he will now travel the country demonstrating his skills to the industry's finest.

Peter, who works at Headlines UK @ Esporta in The Light, Leeds, said: "I'm over the moon to have been chosen but I have worked really hard so it is nice to be recognised for that.

"The competition was for under 25s so everyone else was quite a lot older. I didn't really think I had a chance.

"I was thrilled when they chose me."

Peter, from Barnsley, wanted to become a hairdresser since he was a small child and always had an ambition to work for Headlines UK, one of the UK's leading hairdressing companies which is renowned for its high quality training.

He began colouring hair when he was just 13 and cutting and styling it for friends and family when he was 14.

He said: "People used to give me a few pounds here and there and it added up. It certainly beat the pocket money my friends were getting."

Instead of the usual two to three years it takes to get to stylist level, he qualified in a remarkable seven months when he was just 17.

He said: "Luckily I look older than I am. I think if people had known I was only 17 they would have been a bit nervous.

"I have a huge passion for hairdressing and I think that's what the judges must have recognised. I love being able to transform someone. I like the way you can help them feel more confident and happy with themselves.

"One of my main skills is communication and I really listen to what people want. My ambition is to be a household name like Trevor Sorbie."

It is the second top accolade scooped by Peter since he joined Headlines UK @ Esporta in December.

He is also through to the finals of the Clynol Young Stylist Image of the Year, for which he had to produce an iconic billboard with a distinctive hairstyling image. "

Headlines UK director Irene Ball said: "Peter is an extremely talented stylist - which is shown in the incredible amount he has achieved at such a young age."

"It is extremely rare for a hairdresser to qualify at 17 and to win this top competition at just 18 is unheard of."

"We're very proud of him."

Headlines UK @ Esporta Hair & Beauty Spa is open to both fitness club members and non-members.

Bookings can be made on 0113 246 9111.

Peter Burkhill at the 2007 Protégé Team

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*Download the video of Peter from the Clynol Protégé Team 2007.

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