A KINGSWINFORD hairdresser has hung up his scissors after more than 50 years in the business.

Tony Bunch has been snipping barnets since his dreams of becoming a professional footballer fell flat.

This isn't the first time the 69-year-old has retired, his first attempt was five years ago but he couldn't face leaving his loyal clients in the lurch so vowed to return for one day a week.

But now he feels the time is right to bid farewell and has left his salon on High Street in the capable hands of his son, Darren, who has worked alongside him for 25 years.

The grandfather-of-two started cutting hair in 1960 and six years later, opened his first salon in Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, where he remained until he moved to his current premises in High Street, Kingswinford, in 1986.

Highlights of Tony's career have included travelling the world to represent his country in competitions and seeing staff he trained up go on to open their own salons.

Tony, of Oakfield Road, Wordsley, admitted that saying goodbye to his clients was "quite emotional" and added: "When you're in this profession, clients become friends. The abundance of cards and gifts I've received has been quite overwhelming."

He plans to enjoy an active retirement, playing golf, keeping fit with step aerobics, travelling and spending quality time with his wife Jean.