The Jewish barber whose shop was ransacked by rioters last week has cut the hair one of his footballing heroes.

Aaron Biber trimmed Tottenham striker Peter Crouch's hair yesterday and according to the footballer, "did a great job".

Mr Biber, 89, arrived at the shop he has run for more than four decades in the aftermath of the riots and discovered glass smashed and his property – including his kettle - missing.

An appeal organised by interns at the advertising firm BBH has so far raised £35,000 to keep Mr Biber cutting.

However the barber told the JC that the money was not what mattered to him. "I'd rather have my wife back," he said.

In Mr Biber's shop there is a signed photograph of Mr Crouch and yesterday, the lifelong Tottenham fan enjoyed the chance to meet the player in person.

"I wasn't expecting to get a haircut but I needed one and was in a barber shop, so I thought 'why not?" said Mr Crouch.

"His shop is walking distance from the stadium, so it's only right we show our support."