Hairdresser to the stars Vidal Sassoon has died at the age of 84.

One of the best known hairdressers of all time, Mr Sassoon was made a CBE in 2009 for his services to the industry.

The stylist, who died at home in Los Angeles, made his name with his signature “five points cut”, a look that came to define the 1960s.

Born in Britain to Sephardi Jewish parents from Greece and Spain, his father abandoned the family when he was a young child and Mr Sassoon spent seven years living at the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Orphanage in Lauderdale Road, Maida Vale.

After starting as an apprentice hairdresser in London’s East End, he opened his first salon on Bond Street in 1954, expanding his business across the Atlantic and developing a successful line of hair products.

During the Second World War he joined the 43 Group, fighting fascists alongside former servicemen, and later served in the Palmach fighting for the fledgling Israeli state.

Greville Janner, chairman of teh Holocaust Educational Trust, said Mr Sassoon was "a wonderfully talented and principled man who will be deeply missed".

He said: "He showed the courage to confront fascism on our streets and remained a committed anti-fascist throughout his life.”