Tributes have been paid to a popular Ledbury barber following his death this week.

Colin Thorne was a well-known figure in the town after cutting hair at Thorne’s Barbers in The Homend for more than 60 years.

Mr Thorne died last Saturday (October 21) aged 75. His daughter Caz Coombes led the tributes, describing how her “world stopped turning”.

Ledbury Reporter: Tributes have been paid to Colin Thorne following his deathTributes have been paid to Colin Thorne following his death (Image: Caz Coombes)

“I can’t describe the pain of losing you,” she wrote. “We are truly honoured to be able to say you’re our dad and the love we all have for you can’t be measured.

“You have been the best Dad, Grampy and Husband we could ever have wished for.

“We are taking comfort in the fact you went so peacefully and that you never had to make the decision to retire, which we knew would break your heart.

“We are so proud of everything you achieved. Go rest now, we will hold you in our hearts until we meet again.”

Ledbury Reporter: Colin was proud of his appearance in the Reporter and displayed them in his shopColin was proud of his appearance in the Reporter and displayed them in his shop (Image: Caz Coombes)

Mr Thorne started working at Thorne’s Barbers in 1957, 10 years after his father Emrys Thorne took over the property, which had already been established as a barbershop since 1910.

Colin bought the business off his father in 1982 and in recent years wrote two books about the history of the shop, selling copies to customers and raising more than £5,000 for St Michael’s Hospice.

Last year, he celebrated 75 years of his family running the barbershop.

A notice in the shop says: “Dear customers, It is with the greatest sadness I have to inform you that Colin passed away peacefully at home on Saturday last.

“The shop will be closed for the time being.”

Dozens of customers have been sharing their memories of Mr Thorne, with some saying he did their first hair cut and many saying how much they’ll miss him.

“He was a very good man and a great barber,” said one commenter on Facebook. “He was such a lovely man who always had a story to tell,” added another.

Mr Thorne leaves behind his wife Pat, children Richard, Matthew, Martyn, Jonathan, Jennifer and Caron, and grandchildren Eva, Maisie, Freddie, Marley, Louis, Aidan, Forrest, Lydia, Jack, Evan, Cadence, Harry and Bertie.

Keep an eye on the Ledbury Reporter and in the shop window for funeral details.