A tailor who made suits for wealthy men from all over Britain is bowing out of his tiny shop after 35 years of cutting and stitching.

Kenneth Brown has attracted many titled people and military leaders to his premises in Barnard Castle, Co Durham, without having to advertise.

As he prepared to hang up his tape measure and scissors yesterday he said, "It has all been done by word of mouth. If men find a good suit maker they tend to tell all their friends."

He trained in Saville Row, London, before heading back to his home town and launching the business with his wife Margaret, who has handled all the paperwork.

Mrs Brown said, "Our regular customers include knights, baronets, barons, a viscount, marquis and earl. Only a duke is missing from the list, but we may have had one without realising it.

"We have also made suits for an admiral and air vice marshal. For a while we joked about not having a general on the list, but then we had three generals within three months."

The couple put down the success to the exact cutting and shaping which Mr Brown has done in a workshop above the shop in Horsemarket, along with the use of only the finest cloths. They also make ladies skirts.

They paid tribute to Fiona Brookes and Sharon Clark, seamstresses who have been on their staff for over 20 years, and to Margaret Miles and Carol Longstaff, who work in their shop.

Mr and Mrs Brown will stay in charge until their stock of off-the-peg suits and other garments is cleared. Fiona Brookes hopes to take over the biusiness.