A COUPLE who sold and repaired lawnmowers in Stourport are hanging up their tools after nearly four decades in the town.

Dave and Barbara Ward, of D and B Mower Services Ltd, are 'calling it a day' after 39 years and have closed their Mitton Street shop.

The Areley Kings couple bought their shop in 1975 after Mr Ward, 70, decided he wanted to start his own company.

Mrs Ward said: "My husband trained with a company in Kidderminster. We sell and service and repair all types of garden machinery.

"We started on our own and took it from there. For thirty years, we did really well. We used to employ a few people but we gradually had to let them go due to the change in the throwaway society and the internet and we've done it ourselves for 10 to 15 years.

"It does take over your life being self-employed. We've worked six days a week in the summer. It's a very seasonal job. You make your money in the summer."

Over the years, Mr Ward built up a large collection of old machines so he would always have the right part for the job. Mrs Ward did the paperwork for the firm at her home office, while bringing up the couple's three children.

Mrs Ward added: "We've always prided ourselves on giving personal service, being a small company you can give that.

"We would always advise people which machine to buy and go to look at the size of their lawn or garden and we'd put together and deliver at any time which was suitable for them.

"We just feel this is the time to retire, it's time to call it a day. It's been my husband's life, it's going to be hard for him to retire but I'll find him jobs to do."