Town's top cobbler t ocall it a day

Tom ended 25 years of repairing footwear of all shapes and sizes by retiring from Sussex Shoe Repairs.

He was the face of the shop to its many customers and had worked through during four owners.

Current owner Pam Sheils said: "Tom's reputation of mending shoes that most would have thrown away was well known. If he couldn't do it, then no one could.

"I am sure every one of our customers and previous owners will join me in wishing him well for the future."

Mrs Sheils took over the shop, on the railway station's Longford Road forecourt, about five years ago.

Her father had bought it two years previously at the age of 90 because Rustington man Tom was so good at his job.

He had served an eight-year apprenticeship to make him an expert on fixing heels and soles to everything from stilettos to boots.

Mrs Sheils said Tom's expertise was the only reason the business survived being marooned by a steel fence put up by Network Rail for nearly two years a while back to enable modernising works to take place in the station's sidings.

Tom's footsteps are being followed by Simon Cole.

"The shop has been there for so long as an independent shoe repairer, now Bognor's only one," said Mrs Sheils.

"I hope it will continue for many, many years to come."