AN EAST Yorkshire postmaster who believes he has sold more than a million copies of the Evening Press during a career spanning 43 years has hung up his shop keys for the last time.

David Allison has run the village shop at Bishop Wilton, near Stamford Bridge, with his wife, Shirley, for the past 15 years.

Before that he spent 28 years as manager and then owner of Micklegate Post Office, near Holy Trinity Church, in York.

Dave, 65, said it might be possible to "wallpaper the world" with the number of copies of the Evening Press he had sold over the years.

The couple now hope to travel, read and relax away from the shop counter and the routine of a small business.

Dave said: "They have been good years and I have many fond memories. I have enjoyed every minute of it.

"A village shop is a focal point of any community and this is why it is such as shame that so many are closing."

He added: "I don't think I am going to miss the early mornings. I'll still wake up, but I'm looking forward to turning over and going back to sleep."

Updated: 11:37 Friday, September 20, 2002