A pet shop owner in Didcot, Oxfordshire, is closing his store after more than 40 years of trading.
Vic Thomas has run the Angel Aquarium and Pet Centre with wife Cindy in Brasenose Road for the past 44 years, but will close the shop in the New Year so he can finally retire.
The 75-year-old, who lives in the town, started the business in 1973, moving into an industry he had always been interested in after previously owning a health spa.
Vic told the Oxford Mail: "There's some sadness to give it all up, it's been my life for so long.
"We started it ourselves from just a shell and built it up into what is a business that prides itself on good service.
"It feels like the right time to step away from it now.
"But I will always stay interested in people's pets and the industry."
Another major change over the past four decades has been the rise in competition from online retailers and big supermarkets, which Mr Thomas says has 'made it a lot harder' to run a small business.
He tried to sell the store on as a pet shop but nobody was willing to buy it, and it has instead taken on by a printing company.
A closing down sale is taking place in the run up to Christmas and Mr Thomas said the shelves have almost been emptied of items, including fish tanks, ponds supplies and kennels.
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