A YOUNG man is following in his father’s footsteps – clutching a pair of scissors.

Joshua Goldsworthy, 21, is feeling the pressure after being selected as one of six finalists in the British Hairdresser of the Year for Wales and south west England.

His father, Steven Goldsworthy, has already scooped the title three times, so now the challenge is to come up with a set of designs that will let Joshua claim the crown for a new generation.

The overall winner will be announced at the Dorchester Hotel, in London, in November.

Joshua, of Brettingham Gate, Broome Manor, said: “I’m ecstatic. It’s a massive achievement. I was delighted and very, very nervous when the post came through and we found out whether I had got through or not.

“It is a little bit daunting living up to the expectations of my family. But I’m going to be relishing it.

“I’m really pleased with my first set of pictures. But I don’t want to jinx myself.”

He has already submitted four pictures of models sporting hairstyles of his own creation and now has to submit another four by September, then cross his fingers.

Joshua works at Goldsworthys Hairdressing, in Catherine Street, alongside Steven and his wife Tracy, both 46.

“We were thrilled. All week we felt sick waiting for the results,” said Tracy.

“1995 was our first win. It’s not an easy thing. People chase it for years and years and for him to shortlisted the first time he has entered is phenomenal.

“He’s up against some really big hairdressers.”

And Joshua may beat his father by a full decade to winning the award. Steven was 31 when he clinched his first prize, which he described as like the Oscars of the hairdressing world.

“All the worrying starts now, the sleepless nights. It’s one of the worst experiences to put yourself through,” said the proud father.

“It’s one of those we always put a lot of effort into. It’s going to be pretty tight.

“It’s now a question of pulling something else out of the bag, taking it the next level, then sitting back and waiting to see how it goes.

“It’s an amazing night, but it’s just the nerves that get behind you, because you’ve lived with it for such a long time.”

The award also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the hair salon, which has tranformed the locks of thousands of people across Swindon.

It was founded by Joshua’s grandparents, Peter and Peggy Goldsworthy.

Other Goldsworthy hairdressers to have won the title are Julian Clarke, now a partner in the firm, and Vicky Turner, who runs the Goldsworthy franchise in Cirencester.