A TREASURE trove of collectibles tucked away in Barnoldswick for the past 18 years is closing down.

Del Lister, proprietor of Collectors Corner, on Wellhouse Road, is about to become "El Del" when he and his wife Jean make their new home in sunny Spain.

But Spain's gain is Barnoldswick's loss, as the couple are taking their fascinating business with them.

Even Del would admit the outside of his shop doesn't do justice to the inside. But once customers step through the door, it could be hours before they emerge again, usually clutching some hard-to-find item.

And his customers keep coming back, travelling from far and wide to rummage around his well-ordered emporium.

Del's speciality is postcards. When his shop was fully stocked, he reckoned it had around a million postcards, all sorted by category and filed in plastic envelopes - everything from art nouveau to saucy seaside humour.

He also stocked stamps, comic books, posters, collectible books and annuals, LPs, movie memorabilia, signed celebrity photos, toys and games and curious one-offs like a genuine (complete with provenance) plaster cast of George Formby's face.

Del plans to carry on his business from Spain via the internet.

"We're only taking around a quarter of the stock with us, but that's plenty to ship to Spain," said Del.

"The rest is going to auction. Two wagon loads have already gone, including about 35,000 postcards, and there's another three wagon loads still to go.

"I've really enjoyed the last 18 years, it's been absolutely wonderful," he added. "I'll miss it and most of all I'll miss the people. They've come from all over the world. People spend hours in here rummaging through. Some are here all day and others come regularly once a month to see what's new."

Del is no stranger to living in Europe, having spent 24 years serving in the Royal Corps of Transport before settling in Barnoldswick. It was Jean's home town, while Del hails from neighbouring Earby.

Their new home will be in Costa Calida, a new development near Cartagena on the Mediterranean coast.

If you never discovered the delights of Collectors Corner, there's one last chance.

The shop will be open from Monday to Thursday next week before the door closes for the last time.