MORE than 100 years of history is set to come to an end as a popular Taunton newsagent closes its doors later this month.

TM News in East Reach will be closing on Saturday, March 30, after more than 120 years in business.

Owners, Lorraine and Richard Moorcroft, are set to enjoy a well-earned rest after running the shop for more than 20 years.

The newsagents was first started by Percival and Catherine Prout in the 1890's and has survived six monarch's and two World Wars.

Somerset County Gazette:

FLASHBACK: TM News in the 1920's 

Richard Moorcroft, owner of the store, said: "This shop has been selling the Somerset County Gazette for more than 120 years.

"By 1911 the business had passed to William and Jessie Steele from Sunderland and after William's death in 1920 a local man, Walter Saunders, ran the shop with his wife, Ethel, for many years through the war and into the 1950's.

"Many of our older customers remember 'Walt' as they used to buy their weekly comics from him.

"In the 1970's the Bristol Evening Post bought the business and ran it with a succession of managers until the late 90's.

"It was during the this time that Rose Grigg came to work here and stayed here for 35 years until she retired in 2016.

"We took it over in 1998 but have now decided to retire and pursue other business interests.

"I grew up in a busy business household and started working when I was just 10-years-old so I feel like I have earned it.

The store is set to shut at the end of March and Richard said the pair will be sad to close the doors for good.

He said the shop's staff went 'above and beyond' to meet the needs of its customers and never missed a newspaper delivery, whatever the weather.

Lorraine said: "It is the end of an era really, we have had an amazing time here and have made some fantastic memories.

"Our regular customers have been what has been keeping us going for all these years so we would both like to thank them for all of their support.

"It is going to be a sad day when we close the shop but we want to retire and sadly we could not find another buyer for the store who willing to take it on.

"We would like to thank all of our customers for their years of support, we will miss the shop and miss you all."