THEY have been a cut above the rest for 70 years.

The Barber Shop in Hythe celebrated its anniversary by turning the clock back to 1947. Staff past and present donned period dress and 1940s music was played. Parked outside was an old bike and a 1934 Morris 8 supplied by M&M Automotive in Pennington. The shop offered haircuts for just 6d to customers with the correct old coins – and at least two did.

Staff member Julia Martin said: “Lots of people popped in, not necessarily to have their hair cut but they wished us good luck. Some of them even tucked into Spam sandwiches, which were quite tasty.”

The shop was opened by a Mr Borwell. He was succeeded by John Mason in 1954, Gerry Decarluchio in 1969 and Ronald Effemy in 1977. Current owners, Alison Campbell and business partner Malcolm Hill, took over in 1991.