A NEW barber shop which offers free haircuts to the homeless has opened in Oxford.

Route 8, based in Botley Road, has opened up this month and already has branches in Swindon and Bristol. 

In a statement sent to the Oxford Mail, a staff member said: "Our Botley Road Oxford barber shop will aim to serve the community, not just through cutting hair, but by also through some community work.

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"We will work with the barbers in Swindon to offer training to youths to keep them away from crime and prison.

"We will also use our shop in Oxford to offer free cuts for our homeless friends."

The business will offer full or part time courses for those interesting in training with the barbers.