A VICAR from Wanborough had a hair-raising encounter on Tuesday.

Reverend William O’Connell had won a haircut as a prize after entering a raffle earlier this year.

He decided to put the prize to good use and raise money for much-needed repairs to the St Andrew's Church heating system.

The plan is to replace the old big boiler with a system involving two smaller boilers which would be cheaper to run and more efficient.

However, this new system costs £18,000 - and he's hoping to have similar renovations carried out at St Mary's Church in Bishopstone.

Rev O’Connell said: “I'm very keen for every church to offer a warm welcome literally as well as metaphorically.

"The fundraising for this started just before Christmas.

"We put our heads together and starting thinking of ideas in November

"We're well on the way to raising £400 with this haircut alone, I'm very pleased, and we raised £700 in December with a Christmas fair.

"The sense of community this has created is so wonderful. "

He grew out his hair for several months and grew a beard, just to have it all cut off.

The vicar

He added: "The haircut went very well and caused quite a lot of mirth in the salon.

"I'm getting used to my new look.

"People used to say I looked like Mark Hamill or Donald Sutherland, no-one's come up with lookalike ideas for this yet.

"Hopefully it grows back quickly, I feel a bit cold - any donations of hats would be very welcome!"

Staff at Cameo Hair Salon in Chiseldon made quick work of William’s long locks.

The reverend became the vicar of Bishopstone, Wanborough and Liddington in 2013.

He's hoping to raise money for other local causes with the rest of his winnings.

Rev O’Connell added: “I won two other prizes from the raffle.

“One was a window-cleaning service which I’ve used for the Vicarage.

“The other was to have my nails done, which isn’t something I’d usually do.

“I’ve asked the 200 pupils at Wanborough School to come up with designs they want to have painted on my nails.

“Then, next term we’ll have a vote and the 10 winning designs will go on my nails.

“That will raise some money for the Wanborough School Parent-Teacher Association."