Alan Thornton, 78, comes out of retirement at IK Collections

Alan Thornton, 78, retired 13 years ago but is now back, passing on his knowledge when he volunteers each week at IK Collections, Westgate.

He previously worked as a tailor for 49 years including owning a business on Barkerend Road.

Mr Thornton becomes the latest experienced tailor to be brought back to the industry by the firm, owned by Imran Khan.

Alan Thornton has come out of retirement to work at IK Collections

Ray Lister, 82, also swapped retirement for making suits at IK Collections' shop, where he works every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Mr Lister, of Cleckheaton, has been in the tailoring business for more than 60 years. He sold his business 15 years ago, but came out of retirement two years ago to continue to work in the industry in Bradford.

But the experienced duo work different days so their tailoring skills are spread out to the shop's customers.

Mr Thornton, of Pudsey, was initially persuaded to come out of retirement Mr Khan.

Alan with Imran Khan, owner of IK Collections

Mr Thornton, who started working as a tailor in 1969, says it is a quirk of fate for him to be back at the shop on Westgate as his late brother previously worked at the same site during his own career.

He said: "It is a chance to get dressed up in a suit.

"It's interesting. It gets you out of the house. It gives me the chance to meet a few people.

"I come in for half days. Raymond and I don't clash on our working days. I come in on different days to him.

"I'm here to pass my experience on. I worked in Bradford all of my life.

Alan, right, during his previous spell as a tailor

"It has changed dramatically since I started. Everyone wore a suit then, didn't they?

"I'm a bit rusty with everything, but I'm getting there with it.

Imran approached me to see if I would like to pop down. I have been here for over four weeks now

"My brother had this place 40 years ago when it was called Express Alterations. I had made suits for this place.

"It just seems like an awful long time ago."

Mr Khan praised the skills and experience that Mr Thornton, who also worked in Leeds, brings to his business.

He said: "He is an absolute gem. He has given me some of his skills. He is absolutely lovely. He is such a likeable person.

"He gives us a lot of advice. I asked him to come out of retirement to help me. Like Raymond, he has been doing it for years.

"He has brought different things to the business."

IK Collections has previously made suits or given items to the likes of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.