AN Oswaldtwistle business which is 50 years old this month has set back its celebrations out of respect for its most important customers.

Fred Miller Ltd, of Moscow Mill Street, was set up in December 1952 as a motor vehicle engineering company and is now one of the largest independent wheelchair service providers in the north west.

But the company, which oversees offspring company Millercare Ltd, has postponed its golden anniversary until spring 2003 because the seasonal cold weather is not suitable for the elderly and disabled who use the services.

Mark Diag, sales and marketing manager for Millercare, said: "We will be holding an open day to celebrate in the spring as this time of year is much too cold for our clients."

The business was set up as a family firm and its early tasks involved converting the old blue three-wheeled disability cars from running on petrol to electric.

The company switched to specialising in wheelchairs around 20 years ago and now runs contracts for NHS establishments in the North West, West Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

It has also branched out with Millercare Ltd which sells a wide range of mobility products to the elderly and disabled from the same site in Moscow Mill Street.

When the company was established there were around 10 staff members but Fred Miller Ltd now has 46 employees.

The longest serving of these is Harold Brown, 54, of Clayton-le-Moors, who has been there for 35 years. The oldest member of staff is 71-year-old Jimmy Nesbitt who decided against retirement because he loves his work so much.

Bob Leonard, foreman, said: "Team morale within the whole company is warm and friendly just like the old days.

"Many of the team have been here for a long time which is unique for any business these days."

The business now has three sites in Oswaldtwistle, Blackpool and Wigan and a fourth is planned in the coming months.