Swale’s oldest MOT station is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Pearce and Batt Garage in Key Street, Sittingbourne, was established back in 1922 and has been servicing the town’s vehicles ever since.

The original owners were William John Pearce and Norman Henry Batt who started out repairing push bikes before branching out to cars and farming vehicles.

Mr Pearce died young, as did his son who took over, so Mr Batt was left running things on his own.

Ray Plumb, one of the garage’s current owners, explained his grandad, Ray Wiles, joined as a partner in the 1950s.

The 43-year-old from Newington said: “In the 1960s, when MOTs were first introduced, Pearce and Batt were the first garage in Swale to be given this licence.

“Then in the ‘70s Mr Batt retired and my dad, Dennis Plumb, became my grandad’s partner as his son-in-law.”

In 1992 the garage moved from its location on the A2, where Texaco petrol station is now located, to Key Street and in 2016 Ray took over the management with work partner James Earney.

He explained that there have been various changes over the years.

“The obvious one is the modernisation of vehicle technology, particularly electronic systems with the introduction of electric control units in the 80s/90s, which has vastly changed the way diagnostics are carried out.

“Modern cars now require diagnostic computers to check problems with vehicles.

“Electric and hybrid vehicle repairs will be the future, and we have already sent technicians on training courses for this.” Ray added.

“We are proud of our reputation and always strive to keep our customers happy by being honest and fair, which is why we believe the business has lasted for a century.”

Ray knows the company was created in 1922, but does not have an exact date. He wants to celebrate the occasion with a barbecue party this summer.

Ray said: “Pearce and Batt Garage definitely turned into a family business and it is what my grandad would have wanted when he started all those years ago.”