Stratfords in Norfolk Street, which specialises in outdoor equipment and safety wear, will shut its doors for good next month with the loss of six jobs.

The sad news was formally announced on Monday after rumours began to circulate earlier this month and the group is blaming "increasingly competitive trading conditions" for the decision.

Stratfords has been a familiar name for generations of people in the town since it was founded by George William Stratford just after the First World War and it has loyal customers around the world.

Managing director Mr Colin Bruce (52), whose family has a long association with the business, said the decision had not been easy.

"It is a very sad time for the company because we have been in the premises since 1919, but times must move on. We see the way for the business to continue is through the industrial side of things rather than retail.

"I started officially at the shop in 1971, but I was actually a Saturday boy for several years prior to that," he added.

The Stratfords group will now concentrate on building its industrial division, based in Hamburg Way, on the North Lynn Industrial Estate, which supplies businesses with a wide range of safety equipment and work wear.

Mr Bruce, whose father Bernard was managing director for more than 20 years before his retirement in 1992, started the industrial side of the business in the early 1980s.

The purpose-built premises in North Lynn opened 13 years ago and currently employs around 15 staff.

Mr Bruce, of South Wootton, added: "We are looking to expand this side of the business if we can find the right premises, hopefully in Lynn. This is where we have been for many years and Lynn is where we would like to stay."

The directors and shareholders would like to thank all its employees and customers for their loyalty over the years.