CRICKLADE couple John and Joan Hunt have hung up their aprons and said a fond farewell to the small community shop they have been running for the past 15 years.

The well-known pair are heading for a leisurely retirement after years of dedicated service at Culverhay grocers and newsmarket in White Horse Road.

Mr Hunt, 62, said: "We will miss everyone in Cricklade terribly, but the time has come for us to move on."

They plan to make the most of their retirement by taking their caravan on holiday and visiting their three children.

"We have grown very fond of Cricklade and have made so many friends over the years but now we are looking forward to spending more time together and pursuing other interests and hobbies," said Mr Hunt.

"We will miss our customers the most because we see their faces every day when they call in for a chat or to buy their groceries.

"Most of them have become very dear friends to us and the shop is quite the hub of the community in this part of the town so we will be very sorry to say goodbye to it. But there comes a point when you know you have to move on and this is it."

The couple have been inundated with gifts including a beautiful framed painting of the shop and cards from their many loyal customers.