A butcher's shop in business since the the Boer War is to close this weekend.

Howgate's shop has been a feature of life in Wilsden for almost a century.

David Howgate, who has owned the shop in Main Street, Wilsden, for 30 years with his wife Margaret, is retiring. It is expected it will become a Chinese take away.

Three generations of his family have run it dating from before the First World War. He took on the shop after working for engineering firm Keighley Grinders for 15 years.

His father, Harry, had run it for 33 years and was retiring. Prior to that his grandfather Thomas Hird had it for 15 years. Mr Howgate, 61, said: "Everything has to change, you can't go on forever. It has not been a bad time, it's been enjoyable.

"It's like any job, you have your ups and downs but the meat industry has changed a heck of a lot these last ten years. I suppose I shall miss seeing people.

"According to the deeds there's been a butchers here since the late 1800s. But I've two daughters and they don't want it so that's it.

"I will potter about I suppose and I've always been on the committee of Wilsden Cricket Club so I shall have that to keep me busy."

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