PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning put aside state matters for a while to attend his barber's funeral yesterday.

Manning arrived at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church on Harris Promenade, San Fernando, about half an hour before Cyril Villafana's body was wheeled into the church.

When Manning arrived he knelt and prayed and sat on the front pew, where he was greeted by fellow mourners. He fully participated in the hour-long service, singing along to the hymns, including "How Great Thou Art".

Speaking to reporters outside the church after the service, Manning said he last visited Villafana, also called Pedro, three weeks ago. He described his relationship with the 61-year-old Villafana as "close" and spoke of knowing him since 1962. Pedro started cutting Manning's hair 39 years ago, as Manning said it was when he (Manning) returned to the country in 1969 that he became a customer.

Described in the eulogy as one of the youngest barbers in South Trinidad in the 1960s, Villafana opened his own barber shop, "In Crowd Incorporation", in 1972. Villafana, it was said, never took holidays, as he was always there for his customers, including Manning. Members of the congregation said he worked until the day before his death.

A sign posted outside his Pointe-a-Pierre Road business place yesterday read: "Sorry, closed due to death of Pedro."

The service was also attended by San Fernando Mayor Kenneth Ferguson, Deputy Mayor Malaika Blair, Member of Parliament for San Fernando West Junia Regrello and former president of the OWTU Errol McLeod.

Manning said there were other barbers at the shop and he would continue to patronise the salon.