Mr Brian Gates, of Walton Lane, has decided to pull the plug on the Gates' family-run chip shops in Nelson, and has headed for retirement.

He was brought up in the fish and chip shop trade and, as a schoolboy, worked in his father's shops in Bolton and Market Street, Nelson. His father, Henry, also ran a bakery in Brierfield, known recently as Pam's Kitchen.

His older brother, Norman, took over the running of the Market Street shop from his father. The shop was run by the Gates family for more than 25 years.

A third brother, Colin, ran a fish and chip shop in Leeds Road, Nelson, for many years.

In this time, Mr Gates opened his own fish and chip shop opposite the former Derby pub, Scotland Road, where he stayed for more than 30 years and became well known.

Mr Gates, who is married to Joyce, has four grandchildren.The youngest, Autumn Stacey, is 18 months old.

As well as spending time with them, his retirement plans include regular holidays in Spain.