Hairstylist Terence Towns faced the final cut when he retired from his Kirby business after 41 years.

Mr Towns, 61, was Kirby's longest-serving businessman and finally closed his Frinton Road salon on Saturday.

He said it had been a difficult decision, but wanted to leave on a high note together with wife Yvonne, also 61 and a partner in the business.

"I've been hairdressing for 41 years and serving the public and I just feel that I didn't want to wait until I was 65 or 70 before I left and hopefully we've got a few years ahead of us left to do things we enjoy," said Mr Towns.

"It was a bit of a heart-wrenching time when it got to 4 o'clock on Saturday and we had to close, but we are looking forward to a new life."

The couple have raised about £30,000 for various charities by holding annual coffee mornings at the salon.

Published Monday, January 6, 2003

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