THE owner of a well-known Farnworth furniture store is set to retire at the end of the month.

Roy Hindley, who recently celebrated his 65th birthday, will shut up shop for the last time on March 31 after almost 40 years.

Mr Hindley, and a partner who retired 20 years ago, set up "Hindley and Pugh" in 1959 in Longcauseway.

The shop, which has become known locally for its "personal touch and old fashioned service", started life as a manufacturing business and eventually became a retail outlet.

Mr Hindley's son Bernard, aged 36, has been with the firm for 20 years and Mr Hindley's wife Jean, aged 62, has dealt with the accounts and clerical side for the 39 years.

Mr and Mrs Hindley, who live in Bromley Cross, said they were looking forward to retirement but wanted to thank the two generations of customers who had frequented the shop. The business has been sold.

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