The children have flown the nest, middle-age is upon you and it's time to start enjoying life and taking it easy.

HAIRDRESSER: Stock controller Alan Goddard, 55, hopes to cut a dash from his job in a supermarket to a new career as a hairdresser

Not for Alan Goddard, of Clifton, York, who at the age of 55 has gone back to college and has embarked on a totally new career.

A stock controller at Sainsbury's, Monks Cross by night, during the daytime Alan swaps the stacks of beans and piles of potatoes for a pair of scissors and a can of hairspray.

"It's something I've sort of fallen into really," he said.

"I've always been into art and have cut my wife's hair for years now."

Alan moved to York with Val 32 years ago and worked at John Smith's Brewery in Tadcaster for 23 years before being made redundant.

"This was my chance to find a new direction in life, so after a couple of years of trying to find a job, I decided to go back to college and do some training."

He is studying for an NVQ level two in Hairdressing at York College and hopes to pass with flying colours.

"I'm planning to go straight into hairdressing when I've finished the course. My job at Sainsbury's involves a lot of lifting and I can't keep all that up until I retire."

Alan has always been very proud of his own locks. "I've always been fussy about my hair and although I couldn't do my whole head, I've been able to keep it under control.

"Hairdressing is another form of art for me and my wife certainly thinks it's wonderful getting lots of free hair cuts!"

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