South Lakeland salon owners have hit out at a European proposal to restrict what hairdressers can wear at work.

The new rules would ban stylists from wearing high heeled shoes, watches and rings. Stylists may also be encourged to have more ‘gossipy chats’ and limit the number of daily cuts.

The rules have been drawn up by EU Coiffure and UNI Europa Hair and Beauty, who represent hairdressing salons and their employees If the plans are approved by EU officials they would be binding for all member states, including the UK.

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris, who was a hairdresser for 28 years, has labelled the idea as ‘totally unnecessary’.

He said: “I think this interference from Brussels is an insult to the skill and professionalism of British hairdressers.

“In difficult economic times Europe should not be burdening us with silly rules like this."

Mr Morris was due to travel to Brussels today (Wednesday, April 25) to meet EU Coiffure to discuss the issue.

Local hairdressers also branded the proposals ‘ridiculous’.

Co-owner of Kendal’s Ruby Tuesday, Nicki Chapman, said: “My business partner Denise worked for many years in heels, and it didn’t make a difference to her work at all.

“And I think the jewellery idea is shocking.

“It’s part of a person’s style and the image of the salon – we’ll all look very much the same if we are not allowed to wear what we want.

“We work on our image and don’t want it damaged.”

Graham Cass, who co-owns North West salons Jo and Cass, said: “I can’t understand why jewellery would be banned for hygiene reasons.

“Everything we do is clean – we effectively wash our hands every time we see a client, because we shampoo their hair.

“And it’s really hard at the moment anyway with VAT increases and such, we don’t want to have to limit our customer numbers.”

The document is due to be signed on Thursday (April 26) and will then go before the Council of Ministers.