Treasured cut throat razer blades more than 70 years old were among hundreds of pounds worth of items ransacked from a barber shop.

Norman Hayden, owner of Norman’s Hairdressers in Clayton-le-Moors, said the distinctive old-style razors belonged to his old boss and can ‘never be replaced’.

The burglars took all his equipment including several pairs of scissors, electric clippers, brushes and combs.

Mr Hayden, from Great Harwood, said the incident forced him to close the shop for two days and caused more than £500 in damage.

Mr Hayden, 64, said: “I came in on Tuesday and saw that the box I kept my electric clippers was open.

“I knew that I had closed it and hadn’t left it like that so thought someone must have broke in.

“There was nothing in there and all my working implements had gone.

“The old razor blades belonged to my ex-bosses. I have been working and used them for 50 years and they weren’t new then. They must be about 70 or 80 years old.

“Some of the things won’t be worth a lot to whoever took it but they mean a great deal to me.”

The burglars also took a clock off the wall and a book with charity lottery tickets. Mr Hayden added: “I had to close because they took everything. It will be hundreds of pounds when I add things up but some things aren’t replaceable.

“I’ve been working here for 45 years and this is the first time I have had a break-in.

“I think it’s just really sad that someone can do this and take away your ability to earn a living.”

Police said the incident happened between 5pm on Saturday, September 28 and 9am on Monday, September 30 and are appealing for information.

They said the offenders ripped off a wooden board covering a hole on the back door of the shop on Whalley Road and entered through the gap.

PC Shelley Baines said: “This theft has left the victim unable to work and so we are very keen to try and recover any of his belongings and to trace the people responsible.

“In particular, I would be keen to hear from anyone who may have either witnessed any suspicious activity or to anyone who may have perhaps been offered any similar items for sale in the past couple of days.”

Information can be passed to police by calling 101 and quoting log number LC-20131001-0248.