A FAMILY of hairdressers who have been tracing their roots have discovered they had ancestors in the trade more than 300-years-ago.

Keith Bailey, his son Mark and daughter Jemma have identified their ancestors – the Burns family – who were involved in hairdressing three centuries ago.

The family, who have salons in Chilton and Newton Aycliffe, marked the discovery by painting a family tree on the wall of the newly refurbished Chilton salon detailing the generations of hairdressers.

Mr Bailey said: “We knew we were from a long line of hairdressers and barbers but were surprised to unearth the Burns family who were in the trade 300 years ago.”

He paid £50 for his first salon, a tin shed just yards from his current business in Chilton, when he was just 19.

He has traced the history of hairdressing back to Egyptian times and is now due to publish a book titled Style, Sphinx and the Sixties.

His son Mark, who painted the family tree in the salon, is a hairdresser and has had his work published in Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and has many famous friends and clients including Kylie Minogue.

Jemma, a trained hairdresser, gave up a top job with Cadburys to join the family firm as business development manager.

Mr Bailey said: “It is so rewarding for me to see my children as passionate about hairdressing as I am and with so many great ideas.

“The fact the family has been part of the profession for centuries validates our efforts and inspires us all to take the business forward.”