BRIDGWATER has a new Bulgarian barber who has gone from picking fruit on local farms to running his own hair salon in just seven years.

Asen Tikalchev has recently opened Asen's Barber Crew on St Mary's Street but his road to opening the salon has not been a straightforward one.

Mr Tikalchev first moved to the UK from Bulgaria in 2011 when he was 26 on a six month work card as a seasonal worker on a farm just outside Bridgwater, and did not speak a word of English.

"I had previously worked for the Forest Commission in my home country but I did not see my future there," Mr Tikalchev said.

During his initial stint in the UK Asen became motivated to learn English and took a course at Bridgwater College.

"Hairdressing is in my blood. My uncle is a hairdresser and I have been cutting hair since I was 15, but initially it was mainly a hobby," Asen said.

After cutting hair for fellow farm workers Asen soon landed a job as a part time barber in Bridgwater, and over the next few years put his impressive work ethic to use.

"I was doing three or four jobs. I worked on the farm, part time as a barber, did some work as a delivery driver and worked as a chef.

"I was doing 15 hours days most days and rarely had any days off."

His hard work has paid dividends and now Asen owns a house in Bridgwater with his family, and managed to invest money to get the business up and running.

"It feels amazing to have the business up and running, it has given me a lot of energy," Asen said.

"I thought it was very good of the mayor to come and show interest in a small business like ours, we were really pleased to have him for the official opening."

"I would like to thank him and the mayoress as well as all my friends, my family, customers and people who have supported me in the past few years."