THE heat is on and plaits are back.

Not that this elaborate hairdo ever went away - think Game of Thrones, the popular American fantasy drama based on George R R Martin’s series of fantasy novels where perfect plaits are certainly on parade!

Oakenshaw hairdresser, Diane Walker, discusses whether Game of Thrones could be contributing to the resurgence in the popularity of plaits amongst the mums gathering for the start of her plaiting class at The Village Salon.

The idea to run the sessions - the first launched in June - at the Greenside salon, came from a conversation there.

Plaiting isn’t a hairstyle everyone can easily master - the thicker the hair and the more follicles you have to play with the harder it can be to fathom.

Mums - even Dads, have no doubt been driven to despair emulating the hairstyle - and they come in various varieties too from a classical French plait to those technical looking braids I’ve never been able to master running from above the forehead down either side of the head.

Bun braids, pigtails, ponytails and updos, name the style and I bet it can be plaited - there are so many to master.

Yet, despite social media platforms offering endless footage of fancy braids they are often too quick-paced when you are desperately struggling to get to grips with the technique some can so easily master.

And the pressure.....there are plenty of neat and elaborate examples of plaiting in the playground which young ones are keen to emulate instead of sticking with the same easy style that slots into the morning rush when pack ups and other getting-ready-for-school-and-work demands take priority.

When my daughter produced images of technically intricate braids she’d like me to replicate I withered. Faced with the challenge while she sat patiently with the computer playing a tutorial I was all fingers and thumbs attempting to keep up with the speed of the tutor and their well versed technique.

I persevered but it remained a style I simply couldn't master. Time to get a grip, literally! So I seized the opportunity after spotting a post about the plaiting class on social media to find out from the experts exactly how this type of plaiting technique was done.

One mum attending Diane’s class wanted to plait her daughter’s hair for the holidays - it is certainly a style that keeps you cool when the heat is on.

Many of us knew the basics, some were starting from scratch - and younger children can only sit still for so long.

Yet within the confines of Diane’s friendly and welcoming salon, and with guidance from her and her staff, it was amazing how far we all progressed during the hour or so session - and with young ones who were ever so patient as their parents practised their new-found skill.

Diane’s plaiting class not only teaches people how to plait but also gives them confidence in creating the hairstyle.

“Most people know the principles of plaiting. We show them how to do that and let them grasp the basic concept,” she explains.

Diane, who learned to plait during her hairdressing course at Bradford College and has participated in hairdressing competitions during more than 20 years in the business, says they hope to make it a regular thing and may also run sessions for those wanting to get to grips with more advanced techniques.

Although Diane has sons - whose hair she says she did plait when they were younger for holidays - she understands the pressure parents can feel to replicate stylish plaits, particularly for special occasions such as dance shows.

Dads are keen to be involved too. Paul Atkins booked himself on the course to learn how to plait his seven-year-old daughter’s hair.

“My daughter has really long hair and I have to get her ready for school. Most of the time I put it in a pony tail but it’s nice to do something a little bit different; to learn how to keep her hair nice and tidy,” he explains.”

Although Paul knew the basics of plaiting he was keen to learn how to do a French plait. Like many, he watched Youtube videos but found he couldn’t keep pace.

“I have tried to do it on Youtube and I just can’t follow it, I have to stop it and go back and play it again whereas with Diane she was hands on and told me when the hair gets knotted to pull your fingers through it.”

Being the only dad on the course he attended didn’t deter him either - he’s pleased he is now able to expand his plaiting expertise and has already plaited his partner, Nicola Rennard’s locks.

“I managed to do a big centre plait and two side plaits,” he says.

“I wouldn’t say I’m brilliant but they are on their way to looking half decent!”

Says Nicola: “He is doing really well.”

Diane explains many parents work different shifts so it may fall on dads to get their children ready for school while mum is at work.

The sessions are certainly proving popular - and they’re great fun as my daughter, Katy, and I discovered when we attended a session.

Watching Diane demonstrate and explain proved far more beneficial than trying to replicate plaiting from a video on a screen and many of the mums - and Diane’s son Niall who came along to show how lads can have a go too - were soon plaiting to perfection.

The 21-year-old semi professional rugby player has certainly inherited his mum’s plaiting talents.

“It’s something I never explored before and it’s another skill to add to the CV,” he smiles, hinting that he may even plait his fellow players locks if asked!

Says Diane: “Everybody said they had a really good time. They had learned a lot and everybody left being able to do a plait.”

And it seems the trend is taking off too....

“Some of the mums asked if we could show them how to plait their own hair,” adds Diane.

“What I do like is by the end of the class everyone is encouraging and /or helping each other and have made new friends in a very short time.”

For more information about the plaiting class call The Village Salon on 01274 607414 or visit VillageSalonOakenshaw on Facebook.