A hairdresser with exemplary shaving skills has been crowned the champion of the south east in a competition to find the country’s best barbers.

Elvis Gjokaj, of Alley Barbers, in Station Way, Epsom, beat off razor-sharp competition from 14 other barbers to claim the title earlier this month.

The barber, from Cheam, impressed judges on his shave preparation, razor technique, post-shave routine, health and safety and overall efficiency.

He will now go onto the competition’s with the country’s other highest-scoring regional winners.

"This is my first time in the competition, so I’m really pleased to have made it through to the final," said Mr Gjokaj.

"I’m passionate about my trade and am always trying to improve my skills, so it’s amazing to find out that I’m up there with the best of them.

"Can I beat them? I hope so, but I’m not sure. Only time will tell, and I’m looking forward to finding out."

Mr Gjokaj said the shop has had an influx of men with beards since last summer.

He said: "The trend for beards has grown.

But it still involves shaving the bottom and the top of the beard so it looks a bit tidier.

"Since last summer, one-third of the customers have a beard.

I think it’s because men are getting lazier. And it looks manly."

The competition has been organised by men’s grooming brand the Bluebeards Revenge and the British Barbers’ Association, and is now in its second year.

The final round will be held on May 10, with the best barbers battling it out in a boxing ring, where they will put their shaving skills to the test on willing participants.

The winner of the competition will be crowned Britain’s Best Wet Shaving Barber.