A popular barber is hanging up his scissors after 50 years during which he has heard countless tales, cut the hair of famous footballers and even had a man die in the chair.

John Styles, 70, from Epsom, owner of John Styles Hairdressing in West Street, Epsom, will be shutting up shop for the last time on June 20.

Mr Styles, who has been based there for 26 years, was previously the manager for the Fisher Hair Group for 25 years when it had a branch in Kings Shade Walk in Epsom town centre.

The hairdresser said that, with the lease of his shop coming to an end at the end of this month, it was the right time to step away.

"I have made shedloads of money so I thought I should want to spend some of it," he said.

"Seriously, age is creeping up on me and I now have no long-term future here.

"Some clients, I have been doing their hair for 30 years or so.

"All the styles go round and round. What looked ridiculous 30 years ago could be quite popular now. They all have their day and come back again."

He said he has been witness to some hair-raising incidents over the years including one man dying in his chair.

"He didn’t give me any indication and he died in the chair," Mr Styles said.

"People have had heart attacks and strokes in the chair. But you get used to it."

He said he has cut the hair of a few Chelsea footballers as well as a Sun journalist and has acted as an unofficial agony uncle.

"You listen to people’s problems and don’t get involved. They feel a lot better for telling you," Mr Styles said.

He added: "At the start of this year I thought it would be awful, but as I’m reaching this point, I’m looking forward to it.

"It will be nice to have a lie-in. I have my golf. And London has been my favourite city forever. I would love to see more of it."