Legendary Marlow barber Richard Silver has passed away after a battle with cancer.

Mr Silver, 74, had to close his much-loved barber shop in Station Road in May this year after 54 years due to the coronavirus outbreak and his own personal health issues.

The popular barber, who had cut the hair of many local celebrities, had been battling oesophageal cancer but tragically died on the evening of Sunday, December 6.

Weeks before he passed away, he had been taken ill with an infection.

He died peacefully in his sleep, his wife Patsy and daughter Sarah confirmed on social media.

The avid Manchester United fan was known for decking out his shop in his team’s colours -donning the premises with several pieces of Red Devils memorabilia.

He was Marlow born and bred.

He began his apprenticeship in High Wycombe in the early 1960s and originally had a shop on Marlow High Street with his father before the duo moved to Station Road in 1966, opening up there on May 16.

The much-loved hairdresser has also cut the hair of a number of well-known residents, including Sir Steve Redgrave and his father, the late sports commentator Raymond Glendenning, the late band leader Eric Robinson and most notably the actor Tom Chambers, star of Waterloo Road, Holby City, Casualty and Emmerdale.

On his barber shop's 50th anniversary back in May 2016, he recalled some bizarre tales from his longstanding career including a draft board-themed haircut and a drive through customer who remained behind the wheel of his car while Mr Silver worked his magic.