Top hairdresser Trevor Sorbie has launched a unique service giving women who are suffering hair loss advice and information.

Wig Head was Trevor's own idea and aims to ensure that choosing a wig and making it look realistic is an option that is easy and accessible to all.

When he launched the project on Friday in his Nile Street salon in Brighton, Trevor, who has been cutting hair for more than 30 years, showed how he can cut a wig of either real or synthetic hair, in the same way he would for any other client.

Wig Head has two central goals - to advise women who are losing their hair, either as a result of chemotherapy or alopecia, about wigs and styling options that are available to them and to train hairdressers who are hoping to offer this service or advice in their salons.

This project is unique, as Trevor Sorbie is the first ever British hairdresser to publicly address the issues surrounding illness-related hair loss.

Throughout his long career, four times British Hairdresser of the Year Trevor has amassed a great deal of experience in customising wigs for fashion shoots. He felt he could use this expertise to advise and help women who are facing a particularly difficult and distressing time in their lives.

As part of the project, Trevor takes clients in need of the Wig Head service to bespoke wig manufacturer Trendco, either in London or Brighton, and advises them on the best wig to purchase. He then personally tailors the wig for them at a salon appointment, absolutely free of charge.

Trevor also plans to launch a series of seminars, DVDs, books and a web site related to the project so that salons throughout the UK can offer a similar service.

Antoinette Beenders, British Hairdresser of the Year 2005, said: "I think Trevor's idea is fantastic. He is the master at cutting wigs. If he can do this and help people who are suffering, it is fantastic."

Anthony Mascolo, founder of hairdressers Toni and Guy, said: "As an industry, anything we can do to make our clients look and feel better and help them through traumatic times is good."

The issue of hair loss recently entered the public arena when former model and presenter Gail Porter revealed she was suffering from alopecia.

Gail, who was married to Sussex rock star Dan Hipgrave of Toploader, has suffered from alopecia areata.

It is believed she lost most of her hair overnight while she was in Los Angeles. It is thought the condition was brought on by stress.

Trevor's web site www.trevorsorbie.com also offers information for clients who want to use his Wig Head service.