A HUSBAND and wife team who run two shops in Keighley Market Hall are retiring.

Eric and Necia Croden, of Oakworth, own Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe and Home Comforts. Mr Croden, 65, said one of these stores, the sweet shop, is now up for sale.

Mrs Croden said: "We work six days a week and we want to spend more time with our grand kids."

Before moving into retail Mrs Croden was an aerospace systems operator for the Royal Air Force,

Mr Croden worked as a baker for many years and was then employed in the production office of a greetings cards business.

Commenting on his years working in Keighley Market Hall, he said: "You do get to know a lot of characters. You're very open to everyone so there's always someone who will talk to you."

He said he and his wife had taken over the sweet shop at least seven years ago, though it had been trading under its previous owners for much longer than that.

"We've had good and bad times and you're not going to become a millionaire from it, but it's still a good trade," he added. "We get a lot of younger people who ask us for the old-style sweets."

He and his wife said they were very keen for the sweet shop to continue in its current role.