THE widow of a popular town hairdresser who died in January was overjoyed when she was presented with a portrait of her late husband.

After seeing a tribute article and photograph of Chris Mercer in the Advertiser, John Allchurch asked permission to use the photo to paint a portrait.

Last week, he presented it to a delighted Jackie Mercer, who ran Mercer's salon in Church Green East with her husband for many years and continues to run it now.

Mr Mercer was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years before his death.

Mr Allchurch and his wife, Elspeth, moved to Plymouth Road in the 1960s and brought up their four children there.

They have had their hair cut at Mercer's salon for the last 40 years.

The couple are students of painter Brian Swingler, from the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, who teaches in Redditch.

As Mr Allchurch was studying portraiture with Mr Swingler, he read the article on Mr Mercer's death in the Advertiser.

"I was inspired by the photo of him in the paper. This portrait is a tribute to a long-time friendship with Chris and Jackie. We miss him greatly."

Mrs Mercer said: "We were all touched by this wonderful gesture.

"John and Chris used to play golf together decades ago and he and his wife have been coming here for haircuts for years.

"It would've taken a lot of time and effort to do this portrait and I'm very grateful."