HAIRDRESSER to the stars Taylor Ferguson has helped set up a hair salon for patients in Scotland’s newest hospice.

Taylor and wife Anne sponsored the purpose-designed salon in the Kilbryde Hospice and this week officially opened the new facility.

The couple first became involved in the salon plan after an approach by one of the hospice’s directors and major benefactor, Lady Haughey.

Taylor, who has operated his well-known hair salon in the heart of Glasgow for more than 40 years, said: “Lady Haughey is a client and throughout the hospice build project kept us informed on progress whenever she was in our salon.

"Then one day we started chatting about the need for a hair salon in the hospice building and the benefits that could be generated for patients and we offered to help.

"It’s always good to be able to give something back.

The multi-million pound East Kilbride hospice was built in the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital.

It currently offers a range of day facilities including drop-in sessions, counselling, care at home, music therapy, complimentary therapy, a befrienders service and sanctuary room and will soon provide specialist end of life care.

Taylor added: “We organised the fit-out of the space and secured the furniture and equipment.

"One of our product suppliers, Schwarzkopf, kindly donated enough shampoo, conditioner and hair spray to keep the salon stocked up for at least a year.

“The hospice offers care for patients who are different stages of their illness and the salon will exist to offer an additional ‘feel better’ service.”

The hospice will organise a rota of hairdresser volunteers who will come into the salon and offer hair services and treatments to any patients.

Therapy treatments can also be carried out in the salon.

Lady Haughey said: “The hospice team is enormously grateful to Taylor and Anne for their enthusiastic and generous backing of the salon project.

“This is another positive step in us being able to provide a wide range of services to our patients."

Kilbryde Hospice project was founded by the late Tony McGuinness whose widow Gretta joined the Fergusons along with hospice chief executive Gordon McHugh for the unveiling of a plaque marking the couple’s support.

Taylor’s two grandsons, Taylor, eight, and three-year-old Alexander, also joined them for the special event.

Taylor followed his mum Patricia into the family business in Coatbridge more than 50 years ago before setting up his own salon in the heart of Glasgow.

As well as a loyal client base, his salon has welcomed a number of high profile celebrities including Penny Lancaster, Rachel Hunter, Billy Connolly, Jenni Falconer, Rick Astley, Jenny Powell, Darius, Lulu, Michelle Collins, Michelle McManus, Michelle Mone, Laura Whitmore and David Hasselhoff.