A hairdresser is swapping his scissors for a snorkel as he aims to make an exciting career change.

Darren Elliott, 34, who works at Crew Barbers in Workington town centre, is due to fly out to Thailand this week in a bid to qualify as a scuba diving instructor.

Darren currently holds an assistant instructor qualification, but will spend five months in Jomtien, about 100 miles from Bangkok, to fully qualify.

If he passes his written and practical exams he will become a master scuba diver, the highest qualification available.

Darren developed a passion for scuba diving in Tenerife eight years ago and began his instructor training two years ago.

He said: "Scuba diving is something I fell into when I was on holiday and I thought that it was something I wanted to do forever.

"As soon as I put my head in the water I decided that I wanted to make a career out of it.

"I went in the water and got hooked. It's the peace and tranquility that people don't get to see.

"It's an expensive hobby and I've had to save for it, but my girlfriend has been fully supportive."

Darren lives at Mill Hill in Cleator Moor with his girlfriend Linzi Ritson, 33.

He used to work at Mark Anthony Hairdressing on South Street, Cockermouth.

Darren will not be the first member of his family to work underwater.

His grandfather Gerald was deep sea diver with the Royal Navy during World War Two and carried out jobs such as bomb disposal.

Locally, Darren has dived at Loweswater and Whitehaven.

He will return to West Cumbria after his course but hopes to relocate to the Canary Islands and become a full-time instructor.

He said: "I can't wait. As it's been getting closer I've been getting more and more excited although I'll miss my family and friends."