CUSTOMERS queued around the block to mark the end of an era at a popular Bolton jewellers.

More than 100 people braved the rain and morning chill to line up outside Prestons of Bolton in Deansgate, with the first of them arriving at 7am.

Last month, the Bolton News revealed that the iconic branch, with its famous clock tower, would be shutting for good after 147 years of trading at the heart of the town.

A closing-down sale began this morning, and the shutters will come down for the last time once all the remaining stock has gone.

With discounts of up to 60 per cent up for grabs, customers wasted no time in snapping up bargains.

Front of the queue was Gemma King, who said: “I wanted to come down to have a look at the sale.

“I’ve got my eye on something in particular, but I can’t give away too much.

“It’s a shame that Prestons is closing in Bolton. I don’t think it will be good for Bolton.”

Another customer hoping for Prestons’ magic touch was Dave Halstead, whose son John and daughter-in-law Katie got into a spot of bother while on honeymoon in Bali, following their dream wedding in Standish.

Mr Halstead, of Ladybridge, said: “He had his wedding custom made at Prestons two or three months ago.

“During their honeymoon, they went kayaking and fell out of the boat and John’s ring has come off somehow. He was absolutely gutted.

“He has come to terms with it and he asked us if we could try to replace it at Prestons, so fingers crossed.”

It was an emotional day for staff who have worked until late at night all week to get the branch looking immaculate for today.

Store manager of 20 years, Sue Mead, said: “We knew because Prestons of Bolton is so iconic, the response would be huge but we didn’t expect people to be queuing down the street.

“We’ve had a very emotional week, with highs and lows. Seeing so many customers getting things they really want to buy is great.

“There are a lot of customers who have become friends.

“Nobody wants to think of the moment we close.

“It will be a very sad day, but we are going out with a bang and I want to thank everybody for coming.”

One of those was Constance Craven, aged 92, of Bromley Cross, who worked at the branch in the 1950s and 1960s and recalls opening the shops wedding-ring section.

“Back then, there were counts all the way round, with a glass case in the centre of the room and a big vase of flowers on. It really was spectacular,” said Mrs Craven.

She added: “To buy a wedding ring from here was really something.

“I was devastated to find out it was closing. How many good shops are there left in Bolton?”