His sojourn into politics some years ago is believed to have been the main reason he shaved his dreadlocks and picked a new look.

Unlike other Rasta groups, such as TTI and EWF, the Boboshanti, arguably the most conservative wing of Rastafari, unbendingly rule that scalp and facial hairs should not be cut, but kept in dreadlocks. Moreover, scalp hair should be covered.

In the movie industry, caucasian dreadlocks are in demand - for Viking scenes.

"You wouldn't have known Dreadlock used to be a stray," she said.

A young man in his 20s with dreadlocks and baggy pants got up and offered his seat to the guy who'd just entered the subway car with me.

He said: "Initially the website specialised purely in dreadlock haircare and then I expanded to offer hats, juggling equipment and associated lifestyle products."

'Something like a dreadlock can be about support, and that's sometimes what family photos are about - having a piece of someone you feel can support and help you.

POET Dreadlock Alien waxed lyrical at a students revision conference to help Year 11 pupils boost their GCSE English grades.

A SOLID bill of poetic talent, such as MC Lorna Meehan, Matt Windell, Charlie Jordan and two past Birmingham Poet Laureates, Spoz and Dreadlock Alien, opened the proceedings at the recent "Rhymes" event by launching "The West Midlands Youth Poetry Slam Project."

And it meant goodbye to distinctive dreadlock hairstyles that the pair had worn for years.

The Toxteth actor, complete with new look dreadlock extensions, was attending the event to pay tribute to Liverpool comedian George Roper.

Grant, who performs under the alias Dreadlock Alien, was among several experts at the educational event, which aimed to inject fun into studying English Literature.

Students donated pounds 1 to charity to get the chance to cut off a dreadlock.