Devizes boaters are to lose an old friend at the end of the month when Pam Matthews closes up at Wharfside Chandlery after 20 years.

Mrs Matthews started up the business, selling everything from a washer to a buoyancy aid, as plans were made to reopen the long-derelict Kennet and Avon Canal.

She was presented to The Queen when she came to Devizes in 1990 to perform the reopening ceremony and to HRH The Prince of Wales when he celebrated the completion of £30million of improvements in 2003.

Mrs Matthews said: “He was so funny. He asked me if my children were coming into the business with me. I said no, they had better things to do with their lives and he said he knew what I meant!”

When Mrs Matthews set up the business, she was hoping her husband, Inspector Mike Matthews, would come and help her run it when he retired from Wiltshire Constabulary.

She said: “But instead he got a civilian job running the forensics service for the whole county.”

Now Mr Matthews sails his beautiful sailing yacht Louanti, which is berthed in the Beaulieu River in Hampshire.

Mrs Matthews said: “Now I want to join him on the boat, so I am closing the shop on October 31. It is the end of the sailing season, so I felt it was the perfect time to do it.

“I shall miss it. I have made so many good friends and I would like to thank everyone in the area who’s helped me over the years.”

But Mrs Matthews will not be resting on her laurels. She will still help her son Ian run his business, Ian James Mobile, in Sidmouth Street and his regular discos at the Corn Exchange.

The chandlery will be much missed, and not just by the local boating community.

Mrs Matthews said: “I have one bloke from Essex who comes here for his shoes.”