A WESTON barber, who clipped the hair of Playhouse celebrities, visitors and town residents for the past 50 years, has packed his comb and razors away for the last time.

Weston Mercury: John Morley who is retiring from Panche hairdresser Severn Road, Weston.John Morley who is retiring from Panche hairdresser Severn Road, Weston. (Image: Archant)

John Morley, aged 77, has been styling, shaving and trimming locks since the 1960s when he worked in a ladies’ salon opposite The Playhouse in High Street.

He quickly became accustomed to stars of the stage and screen walking into the shop.

John, who completed his training in Mayfair, London, said: “When we had the ladies hairdressers we had a lot of celebrities from The Playhouse coming in. One day Wilfred Bramble from Steptoe And Son came into the salon.

“He was a funny sort of guy, quite quiet. We went for a drink and had a chat and he was a nice man.”

John then made a change in the 1990s and focussed on men’s hairstyles for 16 years when he ran Top City Barber in the former indoor market in Dolphin Square.

John will finish his final style this week when he retires from Panache in Severn Road.

He said: “I would like to thank my loyal customers for their support over the years.

“I think I enjoyed working in the ladies’ salon the most, as there was so many people coming and going.

“It will be strange not going into work any more.”