BARNOLDSWICK barber Peter Wilkinson has decided to call it a day and has retired after 52 years in the trade.

Mr Wilkinson opened his hairdressing business in a small shop in Church Street on November 13, 1967, when he was just 20.

The premises was part of his mother’s, Marjorie, nee Harper, bakery and confectionary business which she began in 1920.

“My father was a self-employed joiner who burned it into the barber’s shop so there has been a member of the Harper-Wilkinson family in Church Street for 90 years,” said Mr Wilkinson.

A keen athlete and regular marathon runner in his younger days, as well as being a member of Skipton Athletics Club, Mr Wilkinson is going to split his time between his Barnoldswick home and an apartment he has bought in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Retiring will help him spend more time there.

He continues to run twice daily for fitness and pleasure and carries on with this schedule when holidaying in South Africa.

He said in his shop he saw hair fashions come and go and was grateful to his many regular customers in the time he was there.

He said: “I want to thank friends and customers for their support over the years. If anyone wants to get in touch with me they should ring 01282 850360.”