A COUPLE are turning over a new page in their lives after running a newsagent's business for an astonishing 32 years.

Mel and Hilary Turner are retiring this weekend and moving on to a far more relaxing way of life after more than three decades of getting up very early to serve customers from their Halliwell Road shop.

But they admit to sadness at the thoughts of leaving, even though there are a mountain of memories to look back on.

Mr Turner said his customers had become close friends over the years, with some shoppers staying with them throughout their lengthy stint.

It all began in 1968 when the couple scraped together all of their available cash to buy the shop.

They originally intended to keep going for 15 years until their children were old enough to look after themselves. But old habits die hard and they stayed on ... and on ... and on.

Mr Turner said: "Every day has been completely different and an absolute joy. We have met so many pleasant people.

"There have been paper boys who worked for us 20 years ago who have grown up and gone into top jobs but who still come in to see us."

Mr Turner has been president of the National Federation of Retail News in Bolton four times, the last time being around 10 years ago.

He added: "I used to tell the members that no matter what happened, if they stuck by the Bolton Evening News they wouldn't go too far wrong. The paper has always been the main selling point."

The couple's shop will be taken over by Nafisha and Sadiq Munshi.