Whitehaven's longest serving hairdresser is finally hanging up her scissors after more than 60 years.

Yvonne Chapman, owner of Yvonne's hairdressers in the town's Market Place, will be packing away her rollers and hairspray as she shuts shop on June 18.

She has decided to retire after running her own business since June 1956.

Yvonne, 78, said: "I have been saying for the last two years I was finishing. This month it is 60 years since I started my business so I think it is time to go!

"We have had some good laughs and some sad times. It has been great crack and I will miss it.''

Yvonne began her training as a teenager with Cathy's hairdressers, before renting a room on Church Street to set up on her own.

When asked if she was daunted by running her own business so young, Yvonne said: "I've always been a pretty confident person. I've been doing hair since I was 15 so I don't know any different.''

For several decades she was also the hairdresser for Whitehaven Theatre Group having volunteered when her oldest daughter, Jayne, joined in the early 1970s.

"I love cutting and putting up hair,'' Yvonne explained.

Her current employees are Amanda Jennings, who has worked at the salon 20 years, and Gillian Barnes, who has been with Yvonne for 30 years.

The success of the salon has been its 'home from home' atmosphere.

Amanda said: "It has been like a second family here. Our customers have seen us grow from work experience girls, get married and have our kids.''

While Amanda is currently learning to drive and is hoping to become a mobile hairdresser, Gillian is taking a break over summer to spend more time with her family.

Over the years, Yvonne's salon has been on several locations on Whitehaven's Duke Street, and since 1993 has been based in the Market Place.

Yvonne said: "I would like to thank Amanda and Gillian and all my customers over the years for their support.''

Look out for a feature on Yvonne in the next few weeks.