BARBER Ian Hall has proved to be a cut above the rest as Sudbury's business community goes soccer mad in the build up to the FA Vase final.Jewson League champions AFC Sudbury are hoping to make it an historic victory when they play Brigg Town in Saturday's final at Upton Park.

BARBER Ian Hall has proved to be a cut above the rest as Sudbury's business community goes soccer mad in the build up to the FA Vase final.

Jewson League champions AFC Sudbury are hoping to make it an historic victory when they play Brigg Town in Saturday's final at Upton Park.

Sudbury has reached fever pitch with the town awash with yellow and blue as shops and business show their support for the team.

Pick of the bunch is Ian's Barber shop in North Street, owned by Ian Hall, which is also an official ticket outlet. In addition to yellow and blue scarves and ribbons, he has also put up pictures of his part-time assistant and local model Kirsty Swain, dressed in an AFC kit and banners.

Mr Hall and his wife Diana are two of AFC Sudbury's most loyal supporters since the former Sudbury Town and Sudbury Wanderers merged to form the club four seasons ago.

The couple, who live in Sudbury, have watched nearly all this season's FA Vase and Jewson League fixtures.

Watching a team from Sudbury appear in a FA Vase Final is nothing new for the dedicated couple. Before the merger they spent 15 years supporting Sudbury Town and were among thousands who travelled to Wembley for the 1989 FA Vase Final. On that occasion Sudbury Town drew with Tamworth and lost the replay at Peterborough.

This time Mr Hall hopes to see his side take the final steps to victory.

He said: "It has been a really fantastic season, the side has done an excellent job. I am really looking forward to the final. I went to Wembley in1989 and it is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. "It was great to see so many people from Sudbury supporting the team. I am hoping this time will be even better because I honestly think we will win. I think this side is better balanced than the 1989 team and I hope we bring the trophy back.

"To see your local team in an FA Vase final is a once in a lifetime so to see it twice is a dream come true. All my customers are talking about it and the atmosphere in the town is really taking off now."

Peddars menswear shop at Sudbury's King Street, who recently made the suits the team will wear at the final, has also produced one of the most eye-catching displays.

Owner Matthew Warnock said: "I think the achievement is brilliant for the team and the town. It has created a really good atmosphere and it is nice the team is being so well supported."

Other shops with displays include Co-op Home Stores, Carol's Flowers of Distinction, Powehouse, Mill House Fabrics, System Sound, EW King, Drage and Tozer, Javelin, John Cotton shoe shop and Bradford and Bingley.

On the day of the final staff at Sudbury's out-of-town Tesco supermarket will be able to escape their usual blue and white uniforms for the day. Store bosses are holding a non-uniform day and staff are being asked to wear yellow and blue.