A HAIRDRESSER was left brassed off after the door handles to her town centre salon were sawn off.

Thieves stole the large brass handles — measuring about one foot — from Brendan Lester Hairdressing in Princess Street last Wednesday night.

Stylists arrived at the salon on Thursday morning to find a hack saw had been used to remove the metal — which they believe has been stolen for scrap.

Emma Lomax, who runs the salon said: "To actually saw them off shows they have thought about it.

"If you look at the top, they have tried to take the screws out but failed and then they have obviously used a saw.

"It makes you wonder whether they are prowling round looking for handles to sell for weight.

"They must have had the saw with them for a reason.

"I want to warn other businesses as these people could do it again somewhere else."

Stylist Sally Haynes, who discovered the theft, was able to get into the salon by prising the door open.

The 21-year-old said she was so surprised at the bizarre theft, she rang her boss to check that they had not been removed for another purpose.

Miss Haynes, who has worked at the salon since the age of 17, said: "I thought it was really strange.

"I took a picture and sent it to my boss and asked her if she knew about it.

"We close at 3pm on Wednesdays — you would think someone would have seen this if it happened in daylight."

Miss Lomax has reported the theft to police.