A barber is celebrating more than 50 years of cutting hair at the same shop.

John Hallett, aged 66 from Weymouth, started as an apprentice at Hairdressing for Men on Lennox Street in 1967.

At the time, Mr Hallett was trained under Ken Webb who ran the shop from 1961 until 2000.

Mr Hallett then took over the business and now works alongside his son Chris, aged 38, who is also a barber.

Speaking about his long career, Mr Hallett said if he didn’t enjoy it he wouldn’t do it, and although he has reduced his hours, he is showing no signs of stopping.

He added: “A lot of people have worked for more than 50 years but not many can say they’ve done it behind one chair.

“The best thing about this place is the customers, they have become my friends, they’re in and out of the door. It’s not just about cutting hair, it’s the banter as well.”

Mr Hallett’s son Chris said it was the customers who suggested he contact the Echo about his dad’s achievement.

He explained: “A few of the customers said to me that there’s not many barbers who can say they have been at the same place for more than 50 years, that’s got to be worth a story, so I thought why not? And got in touch with the Echo."

Speaking about his dad’s achievement, he said: “He’s an inspiration. I have grown up seeing how hard he has worked at it.”

Mr Hallett says hairdressing hasn’t changed a huge amount since starting at the age of 15.

He explained it has gone ‘full circle’ with new customers asking for the same short back and side haircuts, he gave navy men back in the 1970s.

He added that the biggest change has been to hairdressing equipment and added: “You have cordless clippers now.”

He explained that less people come in asking for a traditional wet shave with a cut throat razor and said new safety razors do just as good of a job.

Mr Hallett has thanked all his customers for their support and says he will continue to work at the barber shop with his son for a few hours a week.