A village DIY shop is set to celebrate a special anniversary.

Darkins Supply Store in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, will have been serving customers for half a century next month and will be hosting a hog roast to mark the occasion.

The shop is now under its third generation of management after Stephen Metson took over from father-in-law Bob Darkins back in October 2015.

Mr Metson, 36, was a carpenter and joiner before taking on the family business alongside his wife Victoria.

He said: "It's been a fantastic few years. I've got to meet a lot of different customers, some who have been regulars and others who have never been here before.

"I'm very proud of the work we have been doing since I took over. It has been quite a learning curve since following on from Bob but I have really enjoyed it.

"We are quite a busy shop. People love coming in here because we do most things you need and even sell small things like a single bolt or a screw.

"I'm very lucky to have a team with a real wealth of knowledge. The staff have all come from different backgrounds and have different skills which I guess is one reason why we have been successful."

The store was first opened by Don and Joan Darkins in 1967, near to the former Swan Public House in Sible Hedingham.

Following a successful spell in the village, the couple's son, Bob, set up a second shop in Bridge Street, Great Yeldham in 1973.

The stores operated alongside each other until the decision was made to merge them in 1989. The merger saw a single store set up off 122 Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, where it has been based ever since.

As well as hosting a hog roast on Saturday, October 6, Darkins will run a week-long savings which will allow customers a ten per cent discount on items.

For more information, contact the store on 01787 462536.