After months of closure, hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons were able to reopen to customers this week.

It was great news for millions of people who were desperate to get a haircut or have their beards or nails trimmed.

So what better time than now to look through our archives at some true unsung heroes from our region who have kept us looking good down the years?

As England moves to Step 2 of its road map to exit the Covid-19 lockdown this week, many of you will have already been able to have a fresh trim!

In today’s nostalgia gallery, we look back at the wide range of ways in which hairdressers have made a difference in Whitehaven.

The pictures featured just to go show the unique sense of community and good humour that can be found in our region.

Among those featured are the hairdressers from Bazaar Hair Salon in Whitehaven who set up a mini-salon on Kirkstone Ward at the West Cumberland Hospital to treat the patients to a free festive hairstyle.

We also see a home-grown talent heading to the bright lights of London, after being named hairdresser of the year, as well as a hairdresser who gave an incredible 60 years of service to the craft and who retired with her head held high.

We also have a hairdresser to the stars in the form of the hair stylist of a former contestant on BBC singing show The Voice.

For those featured, these pictures will undoubtedly bring back happy memories of achievements of the past as well as times when people came together for the greater good down the years.

For others, it will be a reminder of former colleagues who undoubtedly went on to be great friends and confidants.

As ever, we would love to hear from you and hear your recollections of fun and wholesome times gone by.

If you would like to share a memory with us, get in touch via email.

You can share your recollections and even any pictures you may have at tom.beattie@newsquest.co.uk.

We cannot wait to hear from you!