NEWSAGENTS who have served a village for more than 26 years are stepping down.

Hasmukh Patel and his wife Tostana, known as Joyce, have run Latchingdon News since 1990.

They will leave the store, in The Street, later this month to spend more time with their family.

Over the years the couple have seen the store change from just selling newspapers to now being an off licence, convenience shop and most recently in 2014 a post office.

Mr Patel, 63, said: “We used to live in London in Chadwell Heath and we were looking for a place in the countryside.

“This one came about and we jumped into it and we haven’t looked back since.

“This was a hub for newspapers, travelling from the Dengie this is the first stop going out and coming in.”

Mr Patel used to open at 5am in the morning and would have people queuing at the door for their newspapers.

He said changes including supermarkets opening on Sundays and for 24 hours during the week could have meant a decrease in sales but for the shops loyal customers.

“We have very, very faithful customers and they have supported us all the time,” he said.

“After 26 years it takes a lot out of you.

“I didn’t want to go but it is time to. I want to have a bit of time for myself.

“I have never had a good holiday with the kids and the missus because we both can’t go [and leave the shop].”

The couple are now looking to move away and spend some more time with their family.

Mr Patel added: “We will probably move to Leicester and then go from there. We also want to travel the world.”

The shop will be taken over when the Patel’s leave at the end of June.