A LONG-standing Barrow barber has given up his scissors after more than six decades in the trade.

Keith Parkinson, 83, has decided to call time on his career after falling off a stepladder earlier in the year and damaging his hand.

The great-grandad has cut the hair of thousands of Furness residents in a job which first began in 1951

“It is something I have spent my life doing and I will miss it,” he said.

Mr Parkinson undertook a hairdressing apprenticeship, under Trevor Mitchell, in Millom in 1951.

However, wages were low and so with a family to take care for, after running a hairdressing shop in Holborn Hill and only earning £2 per week, he took work in the Iron Works, the Tannery in Millom.

He had earlier completed his National Service in Germany, and was organised, methodical and independent and liked being his own boss.

As a result he opened a gent’s hairdressers at 28 Bath Street, Barrow in 1968, taking over the shop from Jim McNeece.

When Mr Parkinson was 50 he then moved his business to Parade Street where he lives.

Mr Parkinson has always maintained low prices to support local clients and even after formal retirement age he continued to work.

He then moved to part-time in his 80’s whilst caring for his wife Sheila, who had multiple health issues.

He cared selflessly for her through cancer and dementia for the last four years.

Sadly, Sheila died and Mr Parkinson decided he could no longer go on working due to his own health.

Mr Parkinson, who has three daughters, described the time they had together as the best moments of his life.

He described his wife as a ‘good, honest girl’ who he loved dearly and misses every day.

He said he loved barbering because he enjoyed meeting different people.

He said he misses his time in the ‘confessional atmosphere’ of the barbers.