WORKAHOLIC David Muir is selling his York convenience store - because he has not taken a holiday for ten years.

The 49-year-old, from Acomb, who runs D&K Stores in Albemarle Road, South Bank, said he and his wife, Karen, also 49, were desperate for a break.

They plan to take a year off to go on a Caribbean cruise and have also bought season tickets to watch their beloved Manchester United.

"We've been at the shop for 13 years and have not had a holiday for ten years," Mr Muir said.

"We just feel like it's time for a change. Our plan is to take a year off and have a few holidays."

The couple said they also might take a break to Paris or Australia during their year off.

Mr Muir said their decision to sell up was nothing to do with the terrifying incident he was involved in last summer in which he tackled a masked gunman.

The brave shopkeeper won praise from a top judge after struggling with raider Aaron Price and chasing him down the street, until breaking off when the balaclava-clad teenager pointed an imitation firearm at him.

Price was jailed for three-and-a-half years after trying to get away with £560 from the store.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, awarded Mr Muir £200 for his brave efforts.

"Our decision to move on hasn't got anything to do with what happened," Mr Muir said.

"We've not had an incident like that before or since. You just have to write it off as some idiot doing a stupid thing."

Mr Muir reassured his customers that they would only sell the premises to someone who would maintain it as a convenience store.

"It's a very busy shop and important to the local community," he said.

"I'd like to thank our customers for their support. We've no intention of selling it as anything other than it is now because a lot of businesses have closed down round here.

"We've just to the stage now where we need a holiday."

Updated: 12:28 Saturday, August 13, 2005