A FAMILY butcher's business which has served the local community for a total of 76 years is to close down.

But Reg Duberley, of Duberley Bros, Ruardean, says he really does not want to shut his doors – it is just too unrealistic for him and his brother Robert to carry on.

"I shall soon be 84 and Robert is recovering from heart surgery, so though I really don't want to close it is really time to call it a day – reluctantly," said Reg, who has also been a parish councillor for 40 years.

"We have been here for such a long time after all. My father started the business back in 1936. He'd been a miner for 26 years before that. I started as a delivery boy back in 1940 and then me and my brother eventually took over.

"It has been a fantastic village to work in, and our customers have been so helpful and understanding, particularly through the post-war rationing and all the shortages. It has been a real pleasure to work here – I have actually been serving one of the local families for five generations.

"We would really like to say a big thank-you to all our customers for staying with us over the years."

The shop will close for the last time this coming Saturday, but Reg and his brother, who will still be living nearby, say they have no plans to sell the business.