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

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

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

He trained in Saville Row, London, before returning to his home town and launching the business with his wife, Margaret.

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."

The couple attribute the shop's success to exact cutting and shaping, which Mr Brown has done in a workshop above the shop in Horsemarket, using only the finest cloths.

They paid tribute to Fiona Brookes and Sharon Clark, seamstresses who have been on their staff for more than 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 is cleared and then Ms Brookes hopes to take over the business.