The Well Wisher bookshop in Devizes, which has been educating children for 20 years, is to close at Christmas.

A combination of medical treatment and a reduction in customers through the shop due to the growth of the internet has led owner Karen Hellewell to make the sad decision.

However she will focus on extending the services she offers to promote children’s literature to schools, festivals and Wiltshire Council, which is the core of her business.

As the national share a story month co-ordinator for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups she gives illustrated talks to interested groups as well as organising events at schools.

Mrs Hellewell, 55, has undergone operations to replace both her knees in recent months, which has limited her physically. She said: “It is a decision made very reluctantly and many customers have expressed their sadness at the end of an era.

“Footfall in the shop has gone down appreciably. We can’t compete with Amazon and supermarket prices but the thing that we do really well is giving advice.”

Mrs Hellewell, a former teacher, bought the Well Wisher, in Long Street, in 1999 from Brian Luckwell.

During her time the Well Wisher was shortlisted for the Walker Children’s Independent Bookshop of the Year three years running and has hosted author events in the Corn Exchange, as part of Devizes Festival and in the shop. Famous authors the Well Wisher has worked with include Anthony Horowitz, Terry Pratchet, Julia Donaldson, Simon James, Debi Gliori and Adam Stower.

The shop has customers who travel from as far away as Bath, Swindon, Malmesbury and Salisbury as there are so few specialist children’s bookshops. Mrs Hellewell said: “I absolutely adore what I do, it’s like Christmas every day.

“I just love it when kids get inspired by books. I firmly believe there’s a book for every child. You have to find the right one.”

Mrs Hellewell owns the shop and has not yet decided whether to sell or lease it.