John Langley, of Rosewood Close, retired from hairdressing two years ago after 50 years in the business.

However, last March the 72-year-old decided to volunteer at St Catherine's Hospice in Scarborough as a ladies' and gents' hairdresser dealing with both out-patients and in-patients.

On a recent visit to Scarborough Prince Charles visited the hospice and Mr Langley was invited to meet him personally.

He said: "The prince chatted with nurses and volunteers for around 90 minutes, having extended his stay due to the cancellation of a planned visit to two farms because of foot and mouth.

"He made everyone feel very special and it was a lovely occasion.

"He asked about my role at the hospice, how long I had been in hairdressing and how long I had been at St Catherines.

"He was lovely and so polite, we chatted for quite some time. We will all remember the visit and the staff and volunteers were all thrilled to have him."

Mr Langley, who had his own salon in Bridlington for 44 years, works at the hospice on Thursdays and occasionally on a Wednesday and Friday offering cuts, shampoo and sets and blow-drys.

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