CROCKS and Crystal, the gift and card shop in Bourne End, has changed hands. Tony and Gill Simmons have taken over the lease of shop on The Parade from Geoff and Diane Gill who are retiring after four years at the helm.

Completion of the sale through the Milton Keynes office of Christie & Co for an undisclosed figure from the asking price of £125,000 for the leasehold interest is due on September 24.

The four part-time staff will be kept on.

It is a new direction for Tony who is going into the retail trade after a career in the chemical industry.

"I was made redundant for the third time. I was tired of working on a five-year cycle and wanted to do something for myself," said the 42-year-old.

Tony and Gill had been looking for a business to run for a while before they saw the advertisement for Crocks and Crystal becoming available.

"The shop was lovely and we liked everything we saw,"

said Tony.

Geoff and Diane are currently helping their successors find their feet and giving them the benefit of their own experience.

"We have enjoyed our time here," said Geoff.

"We moved from the Lake District to be near our family and grandchildren and we were very quickly absorbed into the community here, taking an active part in supporting the local events.

"The support from the community has been great and I am sure they will continue to support Tony and Gill."

Now they are looking forward to travelling and seeing more of the world although they will be returning often to what Diane calls their "Bourne End nest".