The Original Barber Company

Striking and to many people today, shocking. This image comes from a rural town in Cumbria. A man lies in the window, prostrate, while the barber gives him a shave.

See article below:

"Walter - the fibreglass statue of a singing black barber - was abducted from his usual haunt outside the Original Barber Shop Company on Market Place on Thursday.

But the dapper trilby-sporting gent was returned early on Saturday morning.

At 12.40am last Thursday a man was spotted on CCTV running towards Market Street with the unfortunate Walter tucked under his arm.

Richard Jojo, who owns the barber shop, made an emotional plea for his Walter's safe return. He said: "Walter has been much loved by the public in Cockermouth. He is very popular with customers and tourists - people always stop to have their picture taken with him,"

Walter was originally placed outside the Cockermouth shop when it opened three years ago. He was taken to Keswick two years later to stand outside of the new branch of the barbers and was only returned to his original place a week ago following pleas from customers.

This is not the first time Walter has hit the headlines. Some residents complained in the past that it was inciting racial hatred.

But Mr Jojo said he was not racist and the statue had become a tourist attraction.

The News and Star understands that no-one has been arrested or charged with Walter's abduction.

Mr Jojo was unavailable for comment this morning but one of his employees said he was "happy" that Walter had been returned."

First published at 11:30, Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk