A NEYLAND institution, which has been feeding local families for decades, has closed its doors for the last time.

Henderson Butchers, on Kensington Road, has been a popular choice for fresh meat for 70 years, but a decline in business has meant closing was the 'only logical choice'.

Owner John Henderson began working at the shop aged 16, and has spent 35 years behind the counter.

His father took over the shop while rationing was still in place, and worked until his 80s.

"It's sad, but it’s a sign of the times," said John, 50.

"At Christmas we’re busy but that’s only one week of the year, and I thought it best to get out while we're still up."

The site has served as a butchers for more than a century, and while going through old papers John found ration books from the Second World War, and a price chart of what people were eating at the time.

"Trout, pigs' brain, people would eat pig trotters if they could get it," said John.

"They wouldn’t care as long as they could get something to eat.

"But there's so much choice now, you can have Indian, Chinese, pizza, whatever you like, at the touch of a button - people get put off by the idea of offal.

"The majority of customers are between 75 and 85, they're the older generation who still do Sunday lunches and have been used to going into town to do their shopping," said John, who lives in nearby Rosemarket.

"But younger people use supermarkets or go online, that's just the way it's going sadly."

"It’s hard but it’s the right thing to do," he added.

"I've had some lovely comments from people, and I think I probably know everyone in Neyland because of this job."

Mayor of Neyland Cllr Simon Hancock said: "Henderson's has been a Neyland landmark for the past 70 years and the final closing of their doors is a very sad moment in the town's commercial history.

"They have given 70 years of excellent service to the public, on premises which have been a butcher's shop for well over 100 years - in fact since Victorian times.

"I wish John and his staff well for the future.

"The closure of family-owned businesses is all too common these days, a sad reflection of the times as town centres increasingly lose their individuality."