AFTER working 80 hours a week for the last 25 years, a York newsagent has sold his last paper.

John Chambers, who is converting South Bank Newsagents in Queen Victoria Street into a family home, now plans to take a well earned rest with his wife Gill - on board the luxury QE2 cruise liner.

The 55-year-old father-of-four took over the shop from Gill's family in 1977 and has been tied to the counter ever since.

It originally belonged to Gill's grandfather, Fred Slater, who worked there from 1947.

The couple have not managed to go on holiday together for nearly four years.

"It has been really hard," Gill told the Evening Press. "We haven't been able to spend much time together.

"It will be great to see him more and a totally new way of life for us.

"We've had lots of cards and presents from our customers, which was really nice."

John, a keen angler, said: "It has been a struggle, but I've enjoyed it.

"I will miss the banter with the customers. I could write a book about my time at the shop.

"I'd like to thank all our customers for their support over the years."

- Evening Press customers can still buy the paper from the following nearby outlets: Albemarle Road Post Office; J and M Stores, in Balmoral Terrace; B and M Clark, in Bishopthorpe Road.

Updated: 11:23 Thursday, June 12, 2003