A café in Hereford has been forced to shut its doors as the owner faces a three-month battle with long Covid.

Farmers Kitchen, in Rotherwas, said on its Facebook page that it was permanently shutting its doors due to ill health.

It came after a temporary closure after a positive Covid test result, with owner Julie Morris saying she was still bedbound six weeks after falling ill with the virus. She is particularly struggling with breathlessness.

She said the decision to close and search for a buyer for the Vincent Carey Road business came after she was told by doctors she faced at least three months off work. She said it "broke her heart".

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After a tough period for the café during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020, she said it had bounced back.

She said she treated her customers as friends.

With sales rising month-on-month thereafter, she said the café, which offered full English breakfasts, other freshly prepared cooked meals, sandwiches, paninis and Starbucks coffee, was her "sanctuary", and she always took time for people.

Her approached meant dozens of wellwishers have sent kind messages, as well as flowers, since she caught Covid – an illness which led to blood clots.

She said she couldn't afford to keep the business with no money coming in, and was unable to find staff to cover the hours or cooking that she was doing.

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In the Facebook post annoucning the closure, Farmers Kitchen said: "We would like to thank all our loyal customers for their support and well wishes.

"Due to continued ill health we would not be able to reopen for approximately six months.

"It is for this reason we have chosen to close and sell the business including all fixtures and fittings.

"Any interested parties please contact terence.garlick@gmail.com."