IT was hairy stuff as Leeds potter Paul Hunter made it through to the last 16 of the Travis Perkins UK Snooker Championship.

Hunter, sporting a new plaited hair style, had a close shave in his last 32 meeting with Scott Maguire, twice been pegged back at 4-4 and 7-7 before triumphing 9-7.

He now progresses to the televised stages of the competition where he hopes he will prove a cut above the rest of the Barbican Centre hopefuls.

Hunter is rapidly becoming the David Beckham (pictured right) of the snooker world, changing his hair style more often than other green baize "personalities" chalk their cues.

His latest cut has previously been modelled by the England football captain and not since Ray Reardon's Dracula style can a more entertaining dome have graced the sport.

Now it can only be a matter of time before the mohichan makes its overdue debut at one of snooker's top venues.

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, November 20, 2003