A Tooting estate agent has entered The House of Fun after launching a sideline in making retro suits for his childhood heroes, Madness and The Specials.

Stuart Murray, 45, a former teenage skinhead, claims his two-tone, colourful suits are the only authentic ones now produced in the UK - and possibly in the world.

The suits, known as “Tonic”, were fashionable among skinheads in 1979 but are now making a come back, with Gwen Stefani’s band No Doubt even making enquiries.

Mr Murray said: “It was music and fashion. At that time you started getting neo nazis trying to infiltrate, but that’s not what it was originally about.

"The skinhead movement was the scene of the mods. They also took a lot of influence from West Indian culture.

“Tonic Suits aren’t for the shy and retiring. If you walk down the road and the sun is out, they’re stunning. If you imagine a kingfisher’s neck, they change colour in the same way.”

Mr Murray, who is now director of C James & Co estate agent in Tooting High Street, was part of a skinhead gang in northwest London at the age of 14.

Back in those days, they listened to reggae and ska music in their Tonic Suits, Crombie coats, Ben Sherman shirts and wing-tip brogues.

Just under 30 years later, he decided get a tonic suit made up for his wedding - but discovered the material, a mix of mohair and wool, was no longer available.

Together with his childhood friends, Gary Robinson and Marc Griffith, a Savile Row tailor, he created the suit-making business Ace Face.

Now regularly delivering suits to their favourite bands, Mr Murray and his friends often get backstage tickets to their tours.

He added: “These two bands were the archetypal band that we grew up with and loved. They always say you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but they were great.”

Mr Murray helps run the business from his home in Surrey, where he lives with his wife, Lucy, 37, and two sons, Joshua, three, and Tom, 18 months.

To find out more, visit acefaceclothingcompany.com or call 01342 835447.