A Teignbridge fruit and veg business whose beginnings foreshadowed today's farmers' markets will tomorrow shut up shop after 57 years.

Teignmothian John Walling started his modest Kingsteignton market garden in 1949 after serving with the army during the second world war. As a child, he had worked in a Bishopsteignton nursery growing tomatoes and when it came to marketing his own produce was convinced he would do better by selling direct to the public rather than a wholesaler. Consequently he rented a stall in Newton Abbot market and ever since his family has earned its living as greengrocers, the retail business eventually outlasting the market garden which closed when Mr Walling died.

Now his daughter, Sue Osborne, who runs the business with husband, Bruce, and with help from her brother, John Walling, has decided it is time to call an end to the long hours the business demands.

'Enough's enough,' she said, looking out across the historic market hall that, for several decades, has been her workplace 10 hours a day, six days a week.

'It's not been a bad business to be in but my husband and I are 60 this year and it's time to do the things we've never had time to do. 'I'd like to sort my garden out for one thing.'

The family have remained on the same pitch since before the last refurbishment three decades ago. The thought of upping sticks again during the forthcoming revamp, and some of the changes ahead, were factors in their decision to call it a day.

'They want to put us under the multi-storey while they do it again and when we come back there are going to be different stalls from which we won't be allowed to spread out. 'I don't think I can do that,' said a grinning Mrs Osborne, whose stall has somewhat outgrown its official boundaries and is awaiting an official short back and sides. Design issues aside, she is pleased about the £1.3 million investment the Victorian market is due but both she and her brother are convinced there's one other way to give town centre traders a real break. 'Reduce the car park charges and people will come into town,' they said in harmony. 'Give us a level playing field.'