A VERY special landmark is approaching for one of the oldest continuous family businesses in Ledbury.

On February 14, Thorne's barbers in the Homend, Ledbury, will have reached 70 years in the hands of the same family, and both a celebration and a poignant charity fund-raising drive are on the cards.

The business is currently run by Colin Thorne, who was just a small boy back in the 1960s, when he first stood on a soap box to learn, from his father, the trade of cutting hair.

His wife, Pat said: "Seventy years - we feel that is quite an achievement for a small business and so we are taking the opportunity to have a bit of a celebration and raise some money for charity at the same time.

"We are having an open day when people can call in and have a drink with us with refreshments and we are having a free raffle. The charity we have chosen to support is Macmillan Nurses."

This is in memory of Colin's mother, Peggy, who died of cancer in 1967.

Mr Thorne said he had already raised £180 for the charity through donations.

Remarkably, the barber's shop in the Homend is even older that the involvement of the Thorne family.

A Mr Jimmy Webb started the barber shop at around 1910 and he finished in January 1947.

In 1947, on February 14, Colin's father, Emrys Thorne took over the property with his wife Peggy.

In 1952, the kitchen at the rear of the shop was moved upstairs and a ladies salon was added.

Emrys employed three staff and Peggy helped supervise them.

Mrs Thorne said: "She was very firm, but very kind to staff. Sadly Peggy died in 1967 from cancer and shortly after that Emrys let the ladies salon off.

"Colin, Emrys and Peggy’s son, started work part-time in the business at the age of ten – two to three hours after school and all day Saturdays, standing on a box to reach the customers!"

In 1982 Colin bought the property off his father, when Emrys was forced into retirement due to war injuries which were causing him problems.

Pat added: "Colin has run the business up until recently on his own but due to various health problems decided to cut his working week down to four days. To achieve this, about 18 months ago Rachel Griffiths joined him on a part-time basis.

"The business is still very successful and Colin has no plans to retire just yet. He wanted to see the 70 years in memory of his mum and dad. Jointly their careers total 103 years; and he doesn’t need to stand on a box to reach anymore!"

The open day on Tuesday February14 will feature a raffle and refreshments.

All will be welcome.