FROM robotic up-dos and beehives to flower power styles, hairdressers redoubled in creativity to raise an apt £160 for the Adver’s 160 Appeal at a high-pressure competition.

Trainees at Marvell & Hair Group Academy, and Hair Group salon apprentices in Old Town, were given just four hours to brush, curl, spray and pin up models’ long locks to achieve a hairdo worthy of the contest’s back to the future theme on Tuesday night, in a fundriaser for Prospect Hospice.

For a chance to win the Hair Up contest, which counted towards their qualification, the 14 students also had to demonstrate their make-up skills and style their models from head to toe for full effect.

Hair Group owner Elaine Bisset said supporting Prospect Hospice through the 160 Appeal had been a real motivator for trainees and apprentices alike.

“It was amazing,” she said. “Some of them had only been training for eight weeks and the work they came up with was phenomenal. We had flower power, hippie and robot. They had three hours, plus one hour to put up the hair.

She added: “We chose Prospect because everyone will know someone that has used it. It’s a widely supported charity.

“I think it helps finding a fun way of raising money. You get a lot more out of it than by just giving a donation. The camaraderie and team spirit generated between the trainees was phenomenal.”

The fundraiser also attracted raffle prize donations from nearby businesses keen to show their support for the charity.

“We raised £160 through the raffle and the prizes were all donated by local traders so it showed great support for the charity and the business from the trading community. People don’t hesitate when you mention Prospect. Everybody chipped in to make sure the charity got lots of collections.”

The Adver launched the 160 Appeal in February to mark its 160th anniversary and with a view to raise £160,000 for the Wroughton hospice. So far the appeal has raised nearly £40,000.

To donate to Prospect Hospice visit www.prospect-hospice.net.