There's no more getting up at 4.15am to make sure people get their morning paper as the 59- year-old takes a well-earned break.

Locking the door of Campbell's Newsagents on North Street last Saturday saw the end of an era following the sale of a business that has been the 59-year-old's livelihood since he was a boy.

"I started out at the Westgate shop 47 years ago. It then traded as Campbell's," explained Mr Hirst. "I did that for four years and then worked at the sub-post office in Leeds Road in Harrogate."

At the age of 18 Mr Hirst returned to Campbell's after he and his father bought the business.

"I was there for 32 years, then we sold that and bought the one on North Street and we have been there for the last 10 years," he added.

Mr Hirst and his wife Kath have seen Ripon change a lot in their time behind the counter and he believes the city needs to do more to support the small corner retailer.

"I can go all round Ripon and remember the places that just aren't there any more. Places like Ure Bank and Lickley Street all had little corner shops.

"Since the college closed too the city has lost a buzz. The pubs used to be busy every night.

"I think there was a vast amount of money taken out of Ripon when the college closed."

The former Ripon Grammar School pupil says he has also noticed the changes in his own industry.

"When I first started out it was a more leisurely going on. But now all the supermarkets and garages are nibbling away at the newsagents trade – they are a dying breed.

"Things changed dramatically when the supermarkets started selling newspapers, then Sunday trading started. "

Mr Hirst left his shop for the last time on Saturday.

"The last day felt very strange," he admits. "The week leading up to it I slept very badly because there was a big change coming up.Now I'm having a break from getting up at quarter-past-four.

"But my body clock will take a long time to adjust; this morning I woke up at four then got up at six.

"I don't know what the future will bring; I'm just looking forward to slowing down."

Thanking customers and staff for their support over the years, Mr Hirst said: "They have been very loyal and we can't thank them enough."