A FORMER Army recruit will see his dream come true when he opens his very own barber shop - and customers will even have the option to pay with a unique currency.

Akain Thompson, 42, will officially open Tomo Barber’s, in Mersea Road, Colchester, to those needing a trim this weekend.

The talented barber has previously served in the British Army and worked as a bus driver, but has now decided to follow his dream of running a barber shop.

Echo: Business - Tomo Barber'sBusiness - Tomo Barber's (Image: Tomo Barber's)

“I'm extremely grateful and excited because it's been something I've been doing for a long time," he said.

“I never really thought of opening my own salon until September last year when I decided to go for it."

Anyone looking to get a fresh haircut will also be able to pay for the services at the barber shop using cryptocurrency, as well as the more traditional methods of payment, such as cash and card.

Cryptocurrency is a form of digital money which doesn’t require a bank to verify its transactions.

There are multiple types of cryptocurrencies, and it is commonly used to make purchases or investments on the internet.

As someone who also takes an interest in finances and the cryptocurrency sector, he enjoys trading crypto in his spare time.

Echo: Talented - Tomo Barber's owner Akain Thompson with a client at the shop before it officially opens on SaturdayTalented - Tomo Barber's owner Akain Thompson with a client at the shop before it officially opens on Saturday (Image: Tomo Barber's)

Prior to the shop’s opening Mr Thompson says he was told a lot of younger people are interested in it, so he decided to make it available as a form of payment.

Although he has had many different jobs barber work is something he has been passionate about for quite some time.

He cities his time in the Army as a formative experience which helped him learn his skills to cut hair.

He added: “It's been a part of my life for the long time - I just never really did it full time for my profession.”

Tomo Barber’s will be open Monday to Thursday, 9.30am until 7pm, and Fridays to Saturday, 9.30am until 8pm.

Echo: Stylish - the barber shop's decorStylish - the barber shop's decor (Image: Tomo Barber's)

Haircuts can cost £15 for adults and £10 for for children aged 12 and under.

A hair cut and beard trim is priced at £20.

Appointments can be made outside of the official opening times as well but prices may vary.

To find out more, head to instagram.com/tomodadz.