ONE of Darlington's oldest opticians has announced it is to close after 72 years of trading in the town.

JW Wardman opticians, in Duke Street, has said it has been forced to close after finding it increasingly difficult to compete with the rising number of large optical companies moving into the town.

The practice will stop seeing patients for eye examinations at the end of this month, and will then begin winding down the business until it eventually ceases trading at the beginning of October.

The four-man team at the practice - who have clocked up 140 years' combined service - said it was a "very sad day" for them.

Wilhelmina Wardman, whose late husband opened the business in 1933, said she wanted to thank patients who had supported the business over the years.

"It's a sad day for all of us, we have all been here for such a long time and worked so well together," she said.

"We had begun to realise that it would have to happen, because there are so many big companies coming into town now.

"Added to that, we have had increasing numbers of people who only wanted medical examinations, and weren't buying spectacles or lenses every year."

She said that after working at the practice for 47 years, she now planned to retire.

Optician Terry West, whose wife, Judy, and brother, Kevin, also work at Wardman's, said: "With the influx of the big companies, it's been increasingly difficult to operate profitably as the years have gone by.

"It's very sad we will have to close, but things move on."