A NEWSAGENT is retiring after 40 years of serving his community.

Robert Hall has run the business in Fern Street, Holme Wood, with his wife Susan but at the age of 69 he has decided to call time on his career after Christmas.

He will pass the shop on to Tejaskumar Patel, who will become its new owner.

Mr Hall said "To be honest I've had enough of the early mornings and late nights.

"It has been very tiring as we are usually pretty busy, so I think the time has come for us to stop working.

"We are handing the business over to Mr Patel and are helping him with the transition, but we shouldn't be here long after Christmas."

Mr Hall said he has enjoyed his working life overall but had also suffered terrifying moments.

"I had a knife put to my throat once in a robbery, and also had two men come in with weapons, but my wife forced them away.

"You always get these things, but it's been fun."

Mr Hall said he plans to spend his retirement seeing his family, many of whom now live abroad.

"We've got family in about four different countries," he added.

"We've got family in Dubai, my daughter in Calgary, Canada, my wife's sister lives in Australia, and my son's wife's father is in Italy.

"My daughter in Canada has a big house and she wants us to move over there and live with them now we've retired, but that is a very big move so will be something we'll have to think long and hard about.

"For now, we are just going to travel and see everyone."

Mr Patel, 21, said he is looking forward to taking over the shop.

He said: "He has helped me and has been a good teacher, I am excited to taking the shop on."