Professional boxer Paul Halpin showed he could cut it outside the ring when he opened his own hair and beauty salon in Western Road, Hove.

The 26-year-old featherweight, who is training for his next bout against Welshman Gavin Rees in July, plans to have a thriving business for when he is ready to quit the fight game.

Paul and his girlfriend Marcella James planned the venture for more than two years.

Although the couple have named the business The Floor, they say it has nothing to do with boxing - referring simply to the area in which they work.

During the planning stage, Paul found he had a hidden talent, which he used to design the salon, producing an effect to rival many leading designers.

Paul said: "Marcella has been a hairdresser for 11 years and has worked in some of the top salons in the country.

"She has a talent she can use for years, whereas I've probably got only three years left as a boxer.

"I started boxing when I was nine and I'd like to be out of the game by the time I'm 30 with all my faculties and functions intact. If things don't go as well for me in boxing as I hope, this business venture will carry us through.

"I was born and bred in Brighton, which is why it was important for us to open the business here."

Paul and Marcella have known each other since their schooldays and have a daughter Tiabella.

Paul said: "I'm a father now and I have to think about my family."

Marcella is Paul's No.1 fan and doesn't worry when he is in the ring.

She said: "I'm used to it.

What's important is he is doing something he wants to do. It's a different lifestyle with training and dieting all the time but we are happy."

Marcella has cut comedian Steve Coogan's hair and is British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Danny Williams' favourite hairdresser.

She has recruited a team of hairdressers from the Brighton and Hove area for the new salon.