He joined the business, then run by his father on May 31 1984.

Which makes Mark Ingram the second longest serving independent Midsomer shop keeper on the High Street - after 82 year old Mr Cottle of the cards and candies shop.

So he has a fascinating amount of local history about which shops were along the High Street and which are now just memories, such as the hardware store Caswells, which closed in 2015, where local Mendip cavers use to buy their carbide.

Now he is readying to re-open on April 12, at 9am and since the weather hasn't made up its mind whether to be cold, or a full blown spring, he has just taken in a new delivery of a range of sandals but still has a full selection of winter boots, just in case.

Mark told Nub News: " I am looking forward to re-opening and I have some sandals in now ready for spring, but I also have some boots on offer. You never know with this weather."

One other thing for sure, Keith Ingram & Son shoes on the High Street will also be there with a full line up of slippers, one of his best sellers and something unique to Midsomer Norton.

" Big supermarkets sometimes do a few shoes or wellingtons, but here I do shoes and slippers and boots. That is our business and that is what we are here for."

Mark, who started in his father's shop when he was 21 told Nub News: