A COUPLE are preparing to have their first week off together in 30 years.

Trevor and Dawn Monks have run a newsagents on Elliott Street in Tyldesley for 32 years — but worked their last day in the shop last weekend in order to enjoy a well deserved holiday.

The couple have sold the shop and are looking forward to their retirement — although Mr Monks says he will still be up bright and early.

He added: “We put the shop on the market about three-and-a-half years ago and thought when we have sold it that is the time to retire.

“It wasn’t a very good time as it turned out. The shops either side of us have closed down, but we have managed to survive and now we have a buyer.”

Mr and Mrs Monks, who live just off Squires Lane, took over the shop from Mrs Monks’ parents, Ruth and Bill Broad, who opened the shop 44 years ago.

Mr Monks said: “We’ve never thought of it as work, more of a way of life. We come in and have fun with the customers and they have fun with us, it is a very relaxed atmosphere.

“We have some jobs to do now we have retired but I think we are both most looking forward to going on holiday — it has been 30 years since we had a week off together.

“I think we will have a little one to practice and then I fancy somewhere like New Zealand or Australia.

“Other than that we have got lots of jobs to do and I think I’ll still be getting up early in the morning.