If there was a contest to find Kingston's best-loved shopkeeper, the winner would probably be Reg Harrington who has been running his sweet and tobacco shop at 141 Richmond Road for 46 years.

But over Easter weekend, in failing health and nearing his 80th birthday, he finally bowed out with a "two for the price of one" sale which had customers of all ages queuing outside his shop an hour before he opened, followed by a steady procession throughout the day.

Long-standing customer, Michael Davison said: "He's regarded with such affection that people came as much to say good luck to him on his retirement as to take advantage of the bargain offers."

"Everyone in our area knows him, and he always has a wave for friendly faces passing his window. And where else can you buy boiled sweets from a jar served in a paper bag?"

Among the throng was Sarah Wait, 41, who said she had been buying sweets from Reg since the age of two.

"I used to buy an eighth of a pound of sherbet pips all my pocket money would run to," she said.

Joanna Becket and her friend Chris chose lemon bon-bons and peardrops for their last purchase but were beaten to the strawberry creams by the customer in front of them who purchased the whole jar.

Helping Reg on his last day's trading was his nephew, Michael, and Michael's wife, Paula.

jsampson@london.newsquest.co.uk