Janet stays loyal to favourite hair stylist for four decades

She has had almost 300 haircuts at the hands of Philip Minton, a Bond Street stylist who trained with Vidal Sassoon in the 1960s but has been working in Shrewsbury as his K2 salon since 1971.

Now in his fifth decade wielding the scissors, he said grandmother Janet had been one of his most loyal customers down the years.

"She is one of our oldest customers, she first came in when we were in Castle Street which opened in December 1971," he said.

Janet, who has a haircut about every six to eight weeks, said: "I went there because at the time Philip was very much the man in terms of hairdressing and I think he still is.

"I've stayed with him because, over the years, he has kept my hair looking stylish and modern and because I trust him absolutely.

"I haven't kept the same style, I've had all sorts of styles, from curly perms to bobs and that's because of him and I've always been happy with what he's done."

Mr Minton, who still works four days a week at the K2 salons in Shrewsbury and Newtown, said Janet is not his only long-standing client.

"We have quite a few long-standing customers – the oldest is in her 80s – and you have to be aware that hair can change over the years.

"It can go from curly to straight so every time someone comes in we have to look at them as if they were a new client," he said.

Janet's hair has gone from dark to blonde over the years on the advice of Mr Minton, who is from Wem.

"As your skin tone changes you need to go lighter," he said.

"You also have to do someone's hair in order to suit their features and bone structure as well as the type of clothes they wear.

"Sometimes someone comes in and their husband has asked for their hair to be longer: You have to give them the best advice you can."

Janet, who used to work as chairman's secretary at Shropshire County Council, said her late husband, Arthur, and their two sons had also had their hair cut at the salon.

"I have stayed with Philip because he is a naturally gifted, creative and artistic hair stylist. He is the very best at cutting hair," she said. "He keeps abreast of what is up to date and in vogue and tailors it to the individual. It is good to change your hair style and with Philip you can give him 'carte blanche' and totally trust him to create a style in keeping with 'you'.

"I always joke to Philip 'can we please be in the same care home so that you can continue to do my hair'."

Mr Minton said that he has always enjoyed working on Janet's hair as her style has gradually evolved over the years.

He said: "She used to have it permed and curly but we don't do many perms now.

"She is always very stylish and fashionable and she is a delight to work with," he added.