A loving father, popular barber and talented musician sadly lost his fight with cancer earlier this month.

Douglas Young, who ran Youngs Barbers in Maidstone’s Brewer Street for around 50 years, died at his daughter’s Folkestone home on May 3.

The 82-year-old had bladder cancer, a disease he was first diagnosed with five years ago.

During his life he was ‘the best father a girl could hope for’ to Maria Miller and was also heavily involved in our town’s music scene.

Maria said: “He was a kind, gentle, lovely man who wanted to help everyone out.

“He said in an ideal world there would be no wars- that’s the sort of person he was. He was a fabulous dad and a gentleman’s gentleman.”

The pair had a close, lifelong bond and Maria will place a teddy bear her father gave her inside his coffin.

As well as his daughter Mr Young leaves behind two grandchildren, Joe and Lewis, his wife Carmen and younger brother Vic.

His wider family also loved him greatly.

Mr Young was born in the barber shop he would go on to run.

The business was set up by his father Leslie after the war and Douglas took over running it in the 1960s.

He remained working there until around 12 years ago.

His daughter Maria has fond memories of the family business.

“Dad used to specialise in making wigs in an upstairs room. He would always say don’t come in when the doors shut but one day I burst in and there was a bald man sitting there,” she recounted.

Outside of his family life and work life music was a big passion.

For 30 years he served as the secretary for the south east branch of the Musicians’ Union, organising countless shows.

He also arranged numerous dance shows with the Hazlitt Theatre.

On top of this he played in popular dance group The Cordittes, where he would play double bass with his fingers.

Younger brother Vic joined him at many of his performances.

He said: “We were very close. He had a good sense of humour and was very into his music. He played the piano and double bass.

“I would MC at some of his shows and, as you would expect, we had a lot of fun those days. I have some good memories.

“The shows were very important to him and it did keep him out of trouble.

“He also spent a lot of time at the working men’s club in Brewer Street.

“I will miss him, I’m the last of that generation now.”

For details on Mr Young’s funeral arrangements contact the Family Funeral Service in Bearsted on 01622 260200.