A POPULAR town barber is retiring after cutting hair for more than 50 years in the community.

Norman Hayden has been working at his barber shop 'Norman's' in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, since 1967 but will be retiring on Saturday.

The 69-year-old became self-employed at the shop in 1969, after becoming an apprentice at a barbers in Barnes Street in 1964.

The barber said he has greatly enjoyed his time at the shop.

Mr Hayden, from Great Harwood, said: "I'll be sad to go, but I had to go sometime.

"I'm nearly 70, it's time to let someone younger take over.

"I've always enjoyed it, I have done for 50 years and I still do enjoy it.

"It's just great getting the customers in and having a nice chat, not about anything special.

"Then off they go, and I'll see them again in another month or so and we'll chat again.

"Most of the customers now are regulars who have been coming in for years."

He said his worst time at the barbers was when it was broken in to in 2013 and had his equipment stolen.

Mr Hayden said he is now looking forward to retirement to spend time with his wife Julia and walking the dogs.

Customer John Pye, 71, said he had been visiting Normans for around 30 years.

He said: "We'll all be very sad to see him go.

"I live just round the corner and a friend of mine came here, and I've been coming here ever since."

Cllr Tim O' Kane, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, said: "He's been one of the fixtures in the town for years.

"I've got many fond memories of him cutting my hair.

"It's going to be a sad day when he hangs his scissors up."

Laura Cross, who will be taking over at the site on Tuesday following Mr Hayden's retirement, paid tribute to the barber who was her father's friend.

Miss Cross, 42, said: "He's absolutely brilliant.

"He's just a genuine nice bloke, they are a dying breed. He's there smart everyday in his shirt and tie ready to work.

"It's always been mad busy, there's a constant stream of people.

"It will always be Norman's, I don't want to change anything.

"It'll be a massive change, I wanted to work with him for a week to get used to it, but there's only one chair.

"I'm starting to get nervous now."

Miss Cross has worked as a barber across Hyndburn for 20 years, most recently at Jack Jones in Queen Street, Great Harwood.