A traditional newsagents that has been a fixture of West Street in Marlow for 40 years will close its doors next month.

David and Julie Cooper, owners of D&J News at 35 West Street in Marlow, will take their first holiday in 20 years this September after closing their store which has been at the heart of the town's community for decades.

The couple, both in their 70s, started the business shortly after moving to the area in 1983 and are proud to be one of the last in the area to deliver newspapers daily.

They continue to employ local youngsters from Great Marlow School and Sir William Borlase to carry out the paper rounds - one of the customs that will be most sorely missed by residents after next month's closure.

"We're a very traditional newsagents that sells newspapers, magazines, tobacco and sweets. And because of how long we've been going, we've had several children who delivered for us and have since become doctors and paramedics.

"There's a boy who does rounds for us now who's dad used to work for us and ex-paper deliverers will often come in years later with families of their own."

David added that he believes working for D&J News has given many young people a good start in life, teaching them responsibility and how to interact with others.

David and Julie would know all about having an admirable work ethic - the pair have worked in their shop seven days a week, beginning just after 4am, for what will be 40 years this summer.

While they have thankfully managed to defy the old adage of not mixing business with pleasure, Julie said the time had come for them to spend time together outside of the shop.

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"Our customers have been very loyal to us, and I hope we've been loyal to them. That's how it has always been and we just need some time to be together now, just the two of us."

David said that his cancer returning after eight years was a wake-up call to take a break from working, adding that the couple are looking forward to holidaying in East Sussex with their son later this year - their first real holiday in two decades.

"We'll be sad to go, of course, but we want to walk out of here and spend time together while we can. It's something for us to look forward to and we'll have all these years of memories to look back on."

D&J News will deliver its last round of newspapers on Sunday, July 2, with the shop lingering on over the following weeks while stocks last.

They will be replaced by Brighton's Newsagents, a delivery business based in Reading who David said he has "every confidence" will be able to continue providing reliable news services to the Marlow area.

Crucially, D&J News is not closing its doors due to a dip in popularity. They remain, right to the end, a true community hub, with a steady stream of customers popping in to buy a paper or have a chat with David and Julie, ever friendly and willing to give their time.

"It's been a very enjoyable 40 years," David concluded, "We've made lots of friends, we've seen lots of people pass through and onto above.

"There have been many cards and flowers since we told people that we're planning to retire and we're both very grateful to everyone for all their support.

"It's been good - it's been a good time. We're sorry to go, but we'll be happy to meet again."