HE’S been a friendly face to hundreds of customers looking for a cut, shave or trim - now a Hampshire barber is retiring after nearly 60 years of service.

Terry Kitcher, 75, had been working at Terry’s Barber Shop in Woolston for the past 39 years, before retiring just before Christmas.

For the past 24 years, Terry has worked in the shop on his own after the previous owner retired.

Terry said: “I started at the shop on in February 1958 after I left school - it’s still the finest job in the world.

“I will be gutted to leave because it is my life, and I’m there to help people.”

Terry was initially mentored as a young apprentice by Mr Harrison, and Terry said: “I owe him everything - he was a strong disciplinarian! I would have never done it without him.”

Speaking about his loyal customers, Terry said: “My philosophy is always forget what you hear!

“They tell you all sorts in confidence, so the secret is to be nice and be a shoulder to cry on.

“I have met a lot of good people - we are a family and I have too many good customers to name. They are salt of the earth.”

Over the years, Terry has seen all kinds of customers come through his doors, including a sprightly 100-year-old man walking into the shop to have his hair cut.

On the Queen’s Jubilee, another man came in to the shop dressed up in a Union Jack suit, and Terry once had a bizarre experience with some American customers who asked for their shoes to be shined, as well as to have their hair cut.

The hair styles that customers ask for have also changed dramatically, according to Terry.

In the earlier years, customers asked for styles like the Flat Top, the Tony Curtis Duck’s Tail, the Perry Como and the American Crew Cut.

Now, the most requested cuts are the Gentleman Cut, a French Crop, and Grade 0 sides and back.

Terry took his last appointment on December 20, and says he is only stopping work because of his health.

“It’s breaking my heart to leave.” he said.

“One thing you never expect to happen is to finish working.”

After leaving his shop, Terry plans to continue to play cribbage socially, as he has done so for the last 50 years.

He also plans to continue as chairman of the Southampton and District Social Clubs League.

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

“Without them I would have had nothing.”