HE has styled Laurel and Hardy’s hair and snipped away at Southampton residents for more than 60 years.

Now barber legend Doug Stanley has put his scissors away – at the age of 81.

Doug, who started cutting hair as a 12-year-old, decided to shut up shop after advice from a doctor following a double hernia scare.

When he arrived in Southampton in 1948, Greek Cypriot Doug ran Empire Hairdressing and Maison Stanley on Commercial Road opposite the Mayflower.

He later moved to St Denys Road at D Stanley hairdressing where he clocked up 46 years styling men’s hair.

Doug said: “Because of my age the doctor advised that I stop working and take it easy.

“But I do miss it. My barber’s shop was like a social club. We used to have a laugh and a joke and I really loved going to work. I had cut most of my customers’ hair for 40 years.”

Now he is so sorely missed by his clients he has been asked to do occasional hairdressing days at St Denys Conservative Club.

“I see my clients and good friends in the supermarket and in the street and some of them are hairy monsters and they want me to cut their hair!

“I have retired now but if they call me and I’m feeling okay I am happy to do some cuts to keep my hand in.”

When Doug was based opposite the Mayflower theatre in Southampton, he cut some of the stars’ hair when they performed there.

He said: “One day Laurel and Hardy walked in and I could not believe it. I stood there with my mouth wide open. It was just amazing.”

But every up has its down and Doug remembered when a woman came in to Maison Stanley with green hair after she had tried to remove a dye.

After nearly 70 years as a hairdresser, the father of three and grandfather of six is enjoying time with his family and his wife Thotini, who is teaching him to cook.