A petrol filling station that has been run by the same family for three generations is closing down after nearly half a century.

Service Garage in High Street, Great Wakering, will close its convenience store and petrol forecourt tomorrow Wednesday and focus on car repairs.

"It's going to be a very sad day," said owner Tony Vickery. "It's not going to be something to celebrate."

He said as an independent company he was not able to compete with supermarkets or other petrol filling stations that are part of a large chain.

Mr Vickery said: "The fuel companies don't give any support with the price to independent companies."

Service Garage was started in 1946 by Mr Vickery's grandparents Bert in Allice. In 1958 the garage also started to provide petrol.

Tony's Vickery's father David ran the garage from the 60s to about 1990. Tony Vickery got involved in the business in 1980.

He will now concentrate on the workshop, which he is hoping to extend.

The work shop will continue to do repairs and MOTs under the same name and at the same location.