Tributes have been paid to a hairdresser to the stars found dead earlier this month.

A man has been charged with the murder of 79-year-old Bernard Murphy, whose body was found at his home in Crown Street, Brighton.

Mr Murphy, known as Bunny, was a renowned hairdresser who styled the hair of high-society women and Hollywood stars including Tarzan film actress Maureen O'Sullivan, and Carry On favourite Patsy Rowlands.

His nephew Alan Milner, a landlord in Brighton, said: "He was a charming man, very kind and gentle, someone who would take your side and talk to you about your interests.

"He was specially wonderful with women and they loved him. He would make them feel a million dollars as he styled their hair."

Actor Peter Gee, a friend of Mr Murphy, said: "Bernard did not have a mean bone in his body and he was still very active, attending the theatre, concerts and clubs in Brighton.

"He was tops for style, tops for fashion and tops for company."

Born in Dublin in 1921, Mr Murphy left school at 14 and was apprenticed to an upmarket ladies' hairdressers before opening his own salon in the city.

There he met his partner Jack Kennedy and they remained together for 35 years.

The couple moved to London in 1948 and Mr Murphy opened a successful hairdressing business.

They moved to Brighton in 1968 and took over the Abbacourt Hotel in Oriental Place, a business they ran until Mr Kennedy's death in 1984.

Devastated by his partner's death, Mr Murphy retired to his cottage in Crown Street but remained busy.

Mr Milner said: "I have not slept properly since his death. I find it totally unbelievable that we will never see him again."

A funeral is being held at 2.15pm on January 12, at Downs Crematorium, Brighton.