A shop that has been established in Tenterden for 60 years is set to close as its owners retire.

David and Ann Jenner, both 82, are still running the electrical goods emporium that has been a cornerstone of retailing in the town since 1958, but now they say it's time to step down.

"We're both well over retirement age," said David. "We will miss all our loyal customers but it's time to go."

Jenners in Ashford Road, Tenterden, was established by David's parents Ted and Margaret in 1958 on the former premises of the private Westcliff school at number 23.

In 1974, number 21, a former cafe was purchased, giving the shop the extensive frontage it has today. The building is also the home of David and Ann, who say they have no specific plans for their retirement years.

David joined his parents' business in 1959 and in the early 1960s his brother Antony also became part of the family firm. Sadly Antony died on March 1 this year at the age of 84, although ill health had forced him to retire from the business three years previously.

The Jenner's blend of personal service and detailed product knowledge continued to see customers beat a path to its door, despite the growth of online electrical retailing.

David recalled landmarks in the firm's history including Jenners becoming part of a national buying group in 1977, a deal brokered by his late brother Antony, as well as the arrival of the first colour TVs in 1967.

But the pressures on the independents have taken a toll and Jenners faced increasingly tough competition from big industry names, coupled with slim profit margins "Jenners is part of a national buying group but we are only just making a living," David said.

"It's been the case for years, as it is for many in the industry," he added.

But in its heyday the retailer had seen stars of the screen walk through its doors including 1960s acting legend Herbert Lom, most famous for his portrayal of Ch Insp Charles Dreyfus, Inspector Clouseau's unfortunate boss in the Pink Panther films and screen legend George Sanders known for playing Jack Favell in Rebecca (1940), and for being the voice of evil tiger Shere Khan in Disney's The Jungle Book (1967).

The shop also counted Tenterden acting legend, the late Sir Donald Sinden and Joanna Lumley, whose parents were thought to have lived in Rolvenden, among its customers.

But Jenners' regular customers had formed the backbone of its business throughout. David said: "We have been fortunate to have some extremely loyal customers over the years and we are very grateful for their custom."