A HAIR-RAISING stunt has left a councillor a marked man as he goes about his duties in a village community this week.

Stuart Walton conceded it would be difficult keeping a low profile after his fundraising event at the weekend.

As part of a bid to develop an outdoor play area for youngsters in Sherburn Village, near Durham, the parish council chairman agreed to have his hair cut to the style selected by the holder of a winning raffle ticket.

Villager Gillian Franklin won the right to choose Coun Walton's new-look.

Assisted by stylists at Lee Hair and Beauty, in Front Street, Sherburn, she devised a garish orange and blue stripey, spikey creation.

It was "inflicted" on Coun Walton to the amusement of villagers at a fundraising coffee morning at Sherburn Community Centre, next door to the salon, on Saturday.

Coun Walton, who must now sport his new cut for a week, said it was not a style he has previously considered.

"I look like something from Mork and Mindy," he said, referring to the 1970s' American sci-fi comedy series.

"It's a permanent job, so I'm going to have to shave it off after the week if I want to get rid of it, although there will still be traces of the colour present for a while after that."

Coun Walton raised £325 from the stunt and added a further £35 with a pub collection after the dye on Friday, prior to the cut on Saturday.

The money is all going towards a target of £130,000 for Sherburn Oak (Outdoor Activity for Kids), a charity Coun Walton also chairs.