TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular barber after his sudden death last week.

Neville Street, 79, passed away last Tuesday at his home on Church Road.

The much-loved husband and step-father of two, known to many as Nev, was popular across the borough for his work cutting hair in the front room of his home.

George Pott, a loyal customer of Nev's shop, painted a portrait of the popular barbers in 2011, with the picture now hanging in Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

Mr Pott said: "He was a wonderful guy, he was always interested in old Bolton and the conversation in that shop was excellent.

"It was a proper old-fashioned barbers, the outside was always painted red and white and in the little entrance there was always a racing bike.

"He was a fount of knowledge about what was happening in the local area, the amount of information that would come through that shop was amazing, he was always your first port of call if you needed a recommendation for something new.

"He was a lovely guy, it's a real shame to hear he's gone."

Mr Pott's portrait of Nev was inspired by a series of photos taken inside the shop after he admitted he was thinking of changing the area into something new.

It now hangs in the circular staircase of Bolton Museum and Library, part of the Faces of Bolton exhibition.

Margaret Smith and her husband Dennis, firm friends of Neville and his wife Sheila, also paid tribute to the local legend.

Mrs Smith said: "Neville was a nice fellow, he was really good and got on alright with everybody.

"We met in about 1960, I worked across the road from his shop in the bakehouse, and Dennis has known him just as long, if not even longer.

"He had lots of customers that became friends and he would do anything for any one if he could help.

"We used to spend most weekends out in the caravans together, having a drink and a walk around with him and Sheila, particularly around the Lakes, before it was time to come home again.

"He was really friendly, and we'll miss him."

Neville was a keen cyclist, spending time as a member of the Lancashire Road Cycling Club.

Photos taken from his time with the club adorned the walls of his barbers.

He also liked collecting model toys, with a room in the upstairs of his Smithills home filled with a variety of

Neville, who celebrated his 79th birthday earlier this month, is survived by his wife Sheila.

He had two stepsons, Alex and Stuart, from Sheila's first marriage.