A NEW men's barber shop has opened in Yarmouth.

Tanya Letchford, 53, from Tapnell, decided to open The Yarmouth Barber in Jireh Place after struggling to find someone to cut her son, Ptolly's, hair in Newport.

She explained: "I took Ptolly to Newport for a haircut and we must have tried 13 places which were all busy. Eventually we found one but we still had to queue.

"So, I decided to open up the business in Yarmouth because there are only a couple of other barbers in the West Wight."

Tanya, who spent many years in the travel industry working for Royal Caribbean Cruises, is taking over the former Annette's Hairdresser which has been on the site since the late 1950s.

The shop was officially opened by Yarmouth Carnival chairman, Chris Waddington, who cut the ribbon.

Tanya added: "I did hairdressing around 15 years ago and wanted to do something more creative. I have recently been on an intensive barber course to rehone my skills.

"The shop has been totally refurbished and I have recycled some of the 1950s bricks while the original swing door at the entrance has been utilised and is at the back of the building.

"We will be doing traditional men's haircuts and clipping with no appointments necessary, other than a Thursday. We want it to be somewhere where men can come and feel relaxed.

"The previous clientele at Annette's have been coming here for many years and were quite elderly. They will be having their hair done with home visits."