An Airedale Hospital scheme offers women with hair loss a cooler alternative to wigs.

Headstart shows women who have lost their hair through chemotherapy, illness or other causes how to tie headscarves to cover up the problem and still be stylish on all occasions.

Jan Richardson, a volunteer at the Airedale's breast cancer unit and co-ordinator of the scheme lost her hair three years ago from chemotherapy for breast cancer.

She feels wearing a wig in hot weather is often very uncomfortable and scarves are a heat-friendly alternative.

"They have to be cotton, though, as silk ones slide down," she says.

Keighley's branch of The Body Shop has donated a selection of scarves to the scheme which is attracting interest from other hospitals.

Informal evening sessions where scarf-tying is demonstrated and scarves sold are held every third Thursday of the month at 7pm in the Airedale's oncology unit.

Refreshments are served by the Women's Royal Voluntary Services.

For more details contact Kathryn Dyer at the breast cancer unit on 01535 652511 Ext 2758.

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