Four generations of the Willis family have plied their trade as mobile greengrocers, for the last 30 years in their distinctive vintage trucks.

Over the decades they notched up more than 100,000 miles around the streets of Balby, Warmsworth, Hexthorpe, Hyde Park, Intake and Edenthorpe.

But a combination of ill-health and changing eating habits mean that the distinctive green Morris Commercial trucks - a popular sight around the town every Friday and Saturday- have been taken off the road.

Les, 83, and Alan, Willis, 57, decided to retire at the same time and the youngest Willis, Paul, 28, says the door-to-door business is no longer viable.

Alan's recent ill-health meant it was Paul and his auntie, Susan Jacques, who completed the last round marking the end of an era which was started in the 1920s by his great-grandfather, Frank Willis.

Frank, who farmed near Loversall, wanted to get a better price for his potatoes but his first attempt at selling from a stall on Edlington Market ended up making a loss.

Paul said: "He decided to sell on the street by taking a horse and cart around and that's how the round started. When my grandfather left school at 14 he started on the round and then set up one on his own covering a wider area."

Les's wife Olga also became part of the business and their son, Alan, became the third generation when he left school.

Paul said: "We've been trying to get my grandfather to retire for ten years but it's been his hobby as well as his job. Now my dad is not
very well it's time for them to call it a day together.

"I grew up doing the round but unfortunately in the current economic climate it's not financially viable for me to keep it going. I feel disappointed about the business closing on my watch but it wouldn't earn enough for me and my family."

Paul, a farmer in Doncaster and North Yorkshire, said: "Trade has declined rapidly over the last ten years, firstly because many of our customers were pensioners and they have died, and secondly, people's eating habits have changed.

"Not everyone eats two veg a day and those that do would rather go to the supermarket for frozen or ready-prepared veg that goes in the pan."

Paul added: "Both my grandfather and father have loved doing the job and knew all their regular customers. We would just like to say a big thank you to all of them for supporting us over all those years and we
are sorry it's come to an end."