HOLLYOAKS' hottest new star helped hairdresser Christopher Rafferty celebrate 20 years on Newton's High Street.

A party to mark the milestone began with Emma Rigby - who plays Hannah Ashworth in the popular Channel 4 soap - releasing 20 helium-filled balloons into the night sky.

Each balloon contained a gift voucher for Christopher's salon, and for each balloon redeemed at Christopher's he will make a cash donation to St Rocco's Hospice in Warrington and Willowbrook Hospice in St Helens.

Emma - a client of Christopher - was one of 200 client-guests invited to the event, which doubled to unveil a new extension to the salon, virtually doubling Christopher's presence on the High Street.

Mr Rafferty said: "During the extension work my clients had to bear with us while alterations went on around them.

"Tonight was all about saying a big thank you to them and at the same time celebrating two decades here on the High Street."

After more than 30 years in the industry, Christopher has had clients making regular bookings for a quarter of a century.

He said: "This isn't a job it's much more than that - it's something I enjoy immensely."