THE Royals will see a different face behind the counter when they next visit one of their favourite shops in the Ribble Valley.

Mr Ken Varey has sold his Clitheroe fishing tackle and outdoor shop to retire, after almost 30 years in the town.

Over the years various members of the Royal family have popped in to shop when visiting the Duke of Westminster's estate in the Hodder Valley.

He was a plumber for almost 20 years before opening his first fishing tackle shop in King Street.

He ran the shop for nine years, before moving to his Back King Street premises, known simply as Ken Varey, which has now been sold.

The shop developed a reputation throughout Lancashire, not just for its fishing tackle, but for its stock of outdoor clothing and shooting equipment. But after 20 years at the shop, he has decided to hang up his waxed jacket.

Mr Varey, who lives with his wife, Marion, in Rimington, said: "I wasn't too well a couple of years ago and I am 63, which is good age to retire. It became too much hassle running the shop."

"I initially bought the fishing tackle business in King Street because I was a fisherman. It was nice having job which was also my sport."

He now intends to spend his retirement gardening and taking a few well-earned holidays.

His son, Matthew, who was his partner in the business, is staying on for a short time to help the new owners settle in.

The business has been sold to the Accrington-based Horkin Group, which owns a chain of opticians and supplies pets for television advertisements. Owner Mr Kevin Horkin often appears on television to talk about pets and has had a regular column in a national newspaper about the subject.

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