A care home hairdresser is hanging up her scissors to retire after almost five decades in the job.

Residents at Spring Lodge in Woolverstone have said goodbye to Helen Breitsprecher, who visited the home up to twice a week for 12 years.

The 63-year-old, from Bramford, was presented with a commemorative glass plate, flowers and cards on her final day at the home.

Manager Louise Coote said: “Helen had become one of the family here over 12 years and our residents always looked forward to her visits.”

Helen, who has two sons and two grandchildren with a third on the way, said: “It’s been a really emotional day.

“In my time coming to the home, I have met a lot of families and made many friends.

“The home has changed a lot in that time with an extension being built that has doubled its size.”

She said she had started as a hairdresser at the age of 16 and had worked in many salons around Ipswich until she took a break to have her family.