ANGRY hairdressers fear for their business after make-up giant Estee Lauder told them to change their company name or face legal action.

Origins on Hough Lane, Leyland, near Preston, is owned by partners Sally Clare and Sharon Rushten and they have spent more than two years building up a reputation under that name.

But just before Christmas they received a letter from the famous cosmetics company saying that they alone had exclusive rights to the Origins name for a range of American products.

Now the hairdressers not only face thinking up a new name but also bills running into thousands of pounds for new signs and stationery.

Sally said: "When we set up we were not to know what was going on in America. We're really upset.

"If when we registered we had been made aware of the situation then fine. But we have spent all this time building up a very good clientele under this name.

"We're fighting a losing battle. We're a small business fighting against a multi-million pound company."

And Sally added that a move and having to change name could have drastic results for business.

She said: "Hopefully it won't effect anything. But it is at the back of our mind that we could lose business."

It is thought that the Leyland hairdresser is just one of seven small businesses throughout the country forced to change their name.

Estee Lauder refused to comment.

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