A GREAT-grandfather who was one of the first people to convert vans into "people carriers" will be closing up his motor accessory business after 52 years.

Reg Skilton opened his business Skilton's, in Railway Street, Ramsbottom, in 1950 when his father George loaned him money to buy the premises.

He soon built on a garage and for more than 35 years he has been putting seats into the back of vans to convert them to carry people to serve customers from all over the UK.

Reg, 75, said: "My father came in when I started the shop until I was on my feet and now the business is run by myself with help from my older daughter Lesley.

"I never looked at it as working through my retirement because I enjoyed doing it and the job has given me great satisfaction."

Reg worked at an engineering factory in Southport making trimming for gun turrets in the 1940s.

He then completed his National Service in the Army and when he came out he went to a motor business in Bury and asked for work.

He said: "They didn't have a full-time position so I would just do jobs on motors, repairing trim.

"I had a workshop in Ramsbottom and would work through the night carrying out repairs and then walk to Bury to work because I had no money.

"I did a full week once without going to bed when I first started, I was so keen to get a job."

From there he set up his own business and only when he asked his dad for financial help did he discover his parents had met and married in Ramsbottom.

In the 1950s the business was a lot different and Reg would be working on MGs and a wide-range of Vauxhalls.

Unfortunately, changing habits and the trend towards buying new vehicles on credit has meant people don't buy accessories as much as they used to.

He said: "Now a lot of modern vehicles have to go back to the agent who sold them if anything goes wrong.

"Ramsbottom has also changed a lot since I moved here in 1950 and it has gone a lot better.

"I am grateful to the customers who have supported my business.

"I have served generations of the same families.

"I will miss work but I will have to get myself a hobby."

Reg has finally taken the decision to close the shop because in 2000 business was quiet and then, when he got a rush of work in August, he ended up trapping a nerve in his spine.

"Doctors have said there is nothing they can do to help him.

He is currently winding the business down and in a couple of weeks will be selling the premises and hopes to buy a bungalow and retire in Ramsbottom.