A FAMILY business is celebrating 50 years of hairdressing in Eastwood.

Blood Sweat and Shears, in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, was opened by current owner Michelle Shelley’s mother in 1964, just two months after Michelle was born.

Her mother ran the business for 30 years before Michelle, 50, took it over 20 years ago and she has been in charge ever since.

Michelle now lives above the shop in what was her family home when growing up, and admits that with no children of her own it will be hard to let it go when the time comes.

She said: “Fifty years is some going, I had to celebrate it more for my mum’s sake than mine really.

“It’s all I’ve ever known, I’ve left home a couple of times but came back to run the place and have been here ever since.

“It will be hard for me to let it go eventually, my mum ran the business but my aunt, uncles and grandmother have all worked here in the past.

“I just hope I can pass it on to someone who already works here and knows the business, when the time comes.”