FROM liquorice to jelly babies and chocolate to mints, a Hereford couple are finally putting down their scoops after serving a generation of sweet lovers.

Michael and Liz Elcox have been the familiar faces that have greeted a generation of children at their Butter Market store in High Town.

The couple who have spent most of their lives in Hereford decided to buy a fruit and vegetable stall in 1967, which they ran for 20 years before concentrating their efforts on sweets.

"Due to the supermarkets coming in trade was dropping off so we decided to concentrate on the sweets," said Mike.

"We have had some good happy times, we had customers who came to us as children who are now bringing in their own children.

"It's the loyalty of the customers we have had over the years that has kept us here. We have regular customers who come in on certain days every week and they don't have to order as we already know what sweets they want."

Liz said that what makes the stall stand out from its bigger competitors is that they try to keep all the old traditional sweets including jelly babies, wine gums and sugar mice. They also offer personalised sweet hampers for any occasion.

"A lot has changed but we tried to keep the traditional sweets," added Liz.

"We also provided a personal service. If child comes in with 20 pence pocket money we would do what we can to make up a bag of sweets for them."

Liz originally worked in schools alongside running the store with her husband at weekends and in the holidays before retiring and helping joining Mike in running the stall.

The couple who are celebrating their Golden wedding anniversary in two years have decided to enjoy their retirement after working side by side serving the residents of Hereford for many years.

"Due to me having an operation and our age we have decided to call it a day reluctantly," Mike added.

"The market has changed quite a bit as the traders and variety of stalls has dwindled over the years. Now there is a new owner who has good plans for the market which are beginning to take shape.

"It will probably be good for the future, I'm just sorry I'm not going to be there to see it through."

The stall will continue to operate under new management.