A CELEBRATION to mark the birthday of a hair salon fused fashion with fundraising for a worthwhile cause.

Alter Ego Hair Design, which is based in Church Street, Colchester, decided to use its sixth birthday party to help raise money for St Helena Hospice.

The salon is taking part in the Birkett Long £50 challenge in which businesses are given a £50 stake from which they are challenged to make as much money as possible for the north Essex charity.

The party included hair shows, previews of new hair collections and a sponsored head shave for the Macmillan Cancer charity.

Nick Mitchell, who owns and runs Alter Ego Hair Design with his wife, Angela, said he was thrilled with the level of support for the event which raised £525 for the hospice.

The money will go towards help patients with life-limiting illnesses.