This Saturday, August 24, sees the only remaining traditional butcher's shop in Clayton close its doors for the last time.

John and Karen Summers are retiring after 27 years in the village and say they have mixed feelings about going.

"We have been toying with the idea for the last couple of years and have put feelers out for someone to come along and buy the business. It was advertised with an agent for the past six months but there was little interest," said Mr Summers, who celebrated his 61st birthday last week.

"We still hope someone will come along and perhaps lease the shop area and keep it as a butchers or indeed any other business," he said, adding that someone had made a tentative inquiry about renting it as a hairdressers.

"It will be a sad occasion for us when we eventually close at the end of the week, but we made a decision back in January that we would go on August 24 and up 'til now, no one has come forward to take over the business.

"We've made lots of friends while we've been open and it will be strange to begin with. We aim to chill out for a while, perhaps have a holiday and then next year I may look for a part-time job to keep me occupied.

"It will be hard not doing anything. I'll probably still call at the auctions occasionally, obviously not as a buyer, but to keep in touch with people who became friends.

"We are staying in Clayton so we'll still be visiting the events we've supported in the past," he added.

John worked at Rawson Market, in Bradford, from 1982 before taking over the Clayton shop, in Druids Street, and has been in the trade since 1974.

"Some customers came with me from Rawson and we have been pleased to provide meat to local people here."

He said after working 60 or 70 hours a week for so many years, and his wife helping out while bringing up three children, it was time to take a break.

Karen added: "It feel strange knowing this is our last week. I was all right up to a few weeks ago but as the time has got closer I have had butterflies. It will be very different."

The couple have three children, Jack, Miles and Maxine who have all helped out in the shop.

Many customers have been calling in to offer their best best wishes for the future and all stating they will be sad when the doors close.

Ann Hilton, who recently moved to Preston, but returns regularly to her Clayton home which she has as an Airbnb premises said: "I am gutted. Really sad that it is closing. I lived in Clayton for 15 years and used this shop regularly. I even stock up when I am over here from Preston because they are so good.

"I don't know what I will do when they close. You get so used to such a good service with quality products and expertise. There's nothing near to where I'm living now."

Customers still have a few days to get their freezers stocked up before all the stock is sold.