MASTER tailor John Piercy's brush with the grim reaper gave him a brilliant idea for a special pair of pants.

He has designed smart, comfortable and very practical trousers for men and women who have to live with a colostomy bag.

When John developed cancer of the colon, losing nearly four stone in weight, there were rumours he had passed away.

His wife, Sandra, had to keep telling friends and customers the rumours were premature.

He managed to recover from the Illeostomy operation with a week's intensive care and five month's convalescence.

It was during those months that he realised he was one of many thousands who had to share their life with a colostomy bag.

He soon got used to it, but with his 40 years in tailoring he decided he and others would benefit greatly from a a redesign of their trousers.

Now, after working part-time, he is completing a five-day week dealing with the rush of orders for his "Kumfi-Kut" pants.,

At his shop in Castlegate, Malton, John, 55, said: "After all my years as a tailor it took a serious operation to make me realise there is more to pants than just cloth quality, colour and waist and leg size.

"Living with a colostomy bag can be most uncomfortable in the normal design of trousers," he added "Especially in these days of what is called engineered garments."

"My design has special features to provide more comfort and a normal look - no unsightly bulge to worry about."

John's skills attract the rich and famous to his small shop.

His "Kumfi-Kut pants can only be made to measure with customers selecting the cloth with a choice of styles. They cost £50 a pair and are ready within two weeks of orders being placed.