A Surbiton jeweller’s shop which has been running for 15 years will close for good on Christmas Eve.

F P Turner and Sons, in Victoria Road, is to shut citing high business rates and the impact of online shopping.

The shop has stood in Surbiton for more than 100 years.

Manager Alison Hammerton said: “The reasons are obvious – the lack of support from the local community and Kingston Council.

“They are not putting enough money into keeping the shops here.

“We’re all struggling, it has just been absolutely dire here.

“It’s obviously a very distressing time.

“The last three years I have seen a huge change just in the dynamic of Surbiton itself.

“We can’t take the risk of trying to hold on another year.”

Andy Bacon, chairman of Surbiton Business Community, said: “I am very sad to hear that a family business that has been a part of our community for so long is faced with such a tough decision.

“This is undoubtedly a very sad loss for our town.

“We hope that in future any owner who needs support will come and seek our help.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey said: “Turner’s will be missed by many local people and it confirms the need for our [recently-launched] "Shop local" pledge campaign.

“Turner’s faced particularly pressure from online competition and it shows the challenges facing the modern independent retailer.”

Last month, Liberal Democrat St Mark’s Ward councillors Liz Green, Mary Heathcote and Yogan Yoganathan launched a new website, Shop Local Surbiton, encouraging shoppers to use the town’s independent traders ahead of the chains.