A CLOTHES shop owner is celebrating her business’ 40-year anniversary.

The Ewood Dress Agency, on the corner of Bolton Road and Tapestry Street in Blackburn, first opened its doors to the public in 1977.

Owner Wendy Harrop started working at the shop 34 years ago when she was 16 and took over the helm when her mum, Sandra Holdsworth, retired.

The business sells a variety of fashionable women’s and children’s clothing.

Mrs Harrop, 50, from Darwen, said: “It’s been a wonderful time for us having the shop.

“We’ve got some amazing regular customers who have been with us for years.

“I remember some customers bringing their children in years ago and now the children are grown up and still come in.

“It’s hard to pin point a good memory off the top of my head because there have been so many.”

Mrs Holdsworth worked in the kitchen at Dame Evelyn Fox Special School in Blackburn before setting up the business.

It’s open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm.

Mrs Harrop, who has two sons, Daniel, 25, and Nick, 21, said: “I have loved the social side of the job.

“A lot of my customers have become friends.

“It was my birthday recently and a few of them came to a little gathering I had.

“It also comes down to the quality of the stock we have.

“We don’t accept items we wouldn’t want to sell to others and people know there will always be something good to buy if they visit us.

“I think the trick to the long-life of the shop is the loyalty of the customers, they are amazing.

“I don’t know what is in stall for the shop over the next 40 years.

“I would love it go continue on, but my two boys don’t fancy taking it on.

“I won’t be here in 40 years time but I will have to see where it goes.

“I would like to thank my customers for their support and happy memories over the years, it’s been a great time for me.”