A hairdresser who played a big part in the fashion scene in London's Swinging Sixties has died.

Barry Kibble ran a successful salon in Highworth for nearly 20 years but many of his customers were unaware of his glamorous past.

In his heyday he worked with the top models and stars in fashion shows and on film sets around Europe.

After his retirement six years ago he was able to enjoy his hobbies of playing bridge and listening to jazz and was delighted when he appeared on one of his favourite TV programmes, Countdown.

Towards the end of last year he and wife Doreen won the 2005 league cup at Faringdon Bridge Club but sadly he died before he could be presented with the trophy.

Barry was born in Edgware, London, and died in the Great Western Hospital last Tuesday of a heart attack at the age of 69.

His son Gavin said: "He was a top London hairdresser in his day.

"He had a salon in New Cavendish Street and he was very much a part of the 60s fashion scene.

"I wouldn't say he was the Vidal Sassoon of the era but he was held in high regard.

"Through national and international competitions and demonstrations he was at the vanguard of the hairstyle and fashion revolution in the 60s, often using Doreen as a model.

"His salon in London also did the hair for the children in the film Bugsy Malone and he used to work on film sets here and in Italy among other places."

In 1982 he came to Highworth and set up a salon in Swindon Street, called simply Barry Kibble' in partnership with Doreen, 68, who also worked there as a manicurist and receptionist.

The couple have two sons, Gavin, 41, an accountant in Coventry, and Robin, 39, a lorry driver in Bideford, as well as three grandchildren.

Gavin said: "In his mind it was almost a form of early retirement coming to Highworth but in truth he was so successful that his new business proved to be as demanding as running a salon in the centre of London."

He said his father had a passion for bridge, films and jazz and was an avid fan of big band leader Stan Kenton.

"My father made a lot of friends and was very well known throughout Highworth which means we have no idea how many people are coming to his funeral.

"My father was a very competitive man. He focussed on the things he enjoyed and chose to do these very well rather than many things in a mediocre fashion.

"Bridge was his over-riding passion for more than 30 years and he was a very good player.

"He was intelligent and a bit of a wordsmith. He loved Countdown and competed on it once."

The funeral takes place at Kingsdown Crematorium on Friday at 12.30pm.