A family-run caravan and camping store is set to close this month after more than four decades serving customers in west Suffolk.

Haverhill-based M&M Leisure, which has been owned and run by Graham Bashford for the last 40 years and was previously run by his parents in Mildenhall, will shut its doors by the end of the month. 

The shop has sold new and used caravans and caravan accessories, as well as camping equipment and other outdoor supplies over the decades, but Mr Bashford has now made the choice to retire after two health scares. 

Mr Bashford said: "I've had two heart attacks in recent years and my way of saying it is, I have decided to stop before the ticker stops.

"I am not jumping for joy, it is quite sad really because I have been in Haverhill for 40 years and it is a family business started by my mum and dad, who opened in Mildenhall in 1976.

"But I know it is the right thing to do for me and Suzy, my wife. I am 61, 62 next month, so it feels like the right time to go." 

Mr Bashford said the premises has been sold to an investment company and the business name of M&M Leisure is set to end when he closes.

He said he has made many acquaintances, both customers and others working within the industry, over the years whom he will miss.

"Actually meeting the customers and speaking to customers, that is the best thing about the job and the thing I will miss the most certainly," he added.

"I know an awful lot of people, and an awful lot of people know me, so I will miss that and the day-to-day running of the shop. The thing I will miss the least is definitely the paperwork."