A POPULAR Redditch hairdresser and one-time columnist for the Advertiser has died of cancer aged 61.

Chris Mercer, of Mercers Hairdressers, passed away last Tuesday.

He had cut the hair of townsfolk for more than 35 years and in the late 1970s he wrote a popular Advertiser column giving tips to readers on hair management.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago and went on to develop cancer of the bone. Despite the pain, he never let his clients know he was ill.

Chris (left), a father and grandfather, started his training in London when he was 22 before moving to Redditch when he qualified.

Wife Jackie, who ran the Church Green East salon with him, said: "He was a humble, loving, warm-hearted man who will be sadly missed.

"He saw the good in everyone and his glass was always half full. If anything went wrong, he'd say 'It'll be alright' - he was the eternal optimist.

"Even when he began to get really ill, he never let his customers know and continued to be the same Chris he'd always been."

Jackie added: "People came here for more than a haircut, they came for social reasons.

"Chris would chat away and people loved him for that. He never failed to make people feel at home.

"My favourite memory was his continual joke cracking with all of us. He would often completely fluff the punchline because he was laughing so much."

"I've had more than 100 cards, as well as flowers and donations from customers who can't believe they'll never see him again."

One card from a customer read: "In many ways the relationship between hairdresser and client could be quite superficial but Chris always made you feel you mattered. He'll leave a large gap in our lives."

Mercers manageress Louise Edwards said: "He was loved by everyone, staff and customers alike.

"None of us will ever work for someone like Chris again. He wasn't just a boss, he was a wonderful friend who was willing to do anything to help any one of us."

Jackie said Mercers would not close and thanked her staff for their unceasing support.

Chris's funeral will be at Redditch Crematorium tomorrow at noon, family flowers only.

Donations can be made through the shop in St Stephen's Court to a prostate cancer charity.

The service will be led by the Rev Steve Hutchinson, who conducted the Mercers' marriage blessing 17 years ago.