AN art student has had a haircut.

Nothing unusual in that, perhaps.

But for Ben Simpson, 22, it was quite a big deal.

He started growing his trademark dreadlocks at the age of 16.

Along with them he wore dungarees, cardigan and knitted hat - transforming himself into a character called Simpo.

The persona existed in both the comics and animations he produces as well as in his own actual appearance.

Now the animator, who is a former student of Greenhead College in Huddersfield, has killed off his alter ego.

A whopping 3lb of hair came off at an event which he turned into an art happening.

Ben invited members of an audience to take a snip at Glasgow School of Art, where he is a final year environmental art student.

His mother Karen Seed, who lives in Holmfirth, said: "To me, he'll always be the same person - even though he might look different."

Ben also studied at Leeds College of Art and spent a period at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

From now on he won't be wearing any of his Simpo clothes.

The transformation was a major part of his forthcoming degree show.

Ben's mother said he was hoping to do a master's degree at London's Royal Academy or in Edinburgh.