Hairdresser's warning after her nose collapses

Edwina Phillipson, 51, said the millions of tiny fragments of hair she breathed in during her 35-year career led to an infection that eventually caused a hole to open in her septum.

Just two weeks ago she had an operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital to repair the open wound and now wears a surgical mask when she works to protect her nose.

Mother-of-three Mrs Phillipson, who runs a salon in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, said: "It's a danger we are putting ourselves in, but it's like smoking, everyone thinks it won't happen to them.

"Employers have got to allow their employees to protect themselves, otherwise they will open themselves up to legal action."