Barber shop steps in to help those hit hardest by the pandemic

• Video report by ITV News Meridian's Mel Bloor

A barber shop in Reading is offering free haircuts and food to homeless people, refugees and anyone else in financial difficulty.

Wahed Ullah who owns Diamond Scissors on the Oxford Road says he wants to help people who have suffered the most during the pandemic.

Roberta is currently sleeping on a friend's sofa while she seeks help to find a more permanent solution. A trip to the hair salon is a luxury she cannot afford right now. This was her first hair cut in three years.

• Roberta says it's 'absolutely fantastic'

She says: "It's absolutely fantastic, it's actually unbelievable because no-one else has offered anything else like this".

As well as free hair cuts, the barber shop is also offering free food to those in need as well as providing them with essential toiletries.

Hundreds have so far taken up the offer and the service has now been expanded to two days a week with the help of community based charity Sadaka.

• Waheed Ullah, Barber shop owner

Waheed Ullah, the owner of the shop, says: "I've been in my life in a hard situation and I was thinking it was my aim to help needy people. We are human beings and as a human being we have to help each other".

One customer says: ""Oh it means quite a lot to me that I'm able to come and get a free hair cut, free food, have a chat, a cup of coffee".

"You know I think a lot of people will be proud what these people are doing for them you know."

And paying customers agree this barber shop is a cut above the rest, with one saying: "I'm so glad I'm coming here all the time and help other people, it's something very nice".