SIDMOUTH will be bidding a fond farewell to one of its most treasured toy shops as it closes its doors after almost 20 years. Puddleducks Traditional Toys in Old Fore Street has now launched its first and last sale.

SIDMOUTH will be bidding a fond farewell to one of its most treasured toy shops as it closes its doors after almost 20 years.Puddleducks Traditional Toys in Old Fore Street has now launched its first and last sale, which will run until Elaine Parkin retires.Mrs Parkin said: "We've been open for going on 20 years, selling traditional toys, rocking horses and teddy bears. I'm going to miss the customers first and foremost, from the grandparents, right the way down to the children and the visitors from all over the country. Seeing these youngsters grow up and bring their own children in has been lovely."Puddleducks sells wooden toys, mobiles, puppets, dolls' houses, dressing up clothes and shoes, hobby horses, humming tops and kites as well as personalised name plaques, coat pegs, bookends. The shop also sells its own Sidmouth Bears, collectors' teddy bears.Mrs Parkin admitted that it had been a very quick decision to close the shop. She said: "It's happened quite quickly, literally within weeks. This seemed to be the right time, especially with the summer coming. "Our last day of trading will be on Sunday, April 20."This is our first sale, as we've never had the need for one before. Very often businesses need to sell off stock to get new stock in, or clothes shops need to make way for the new season, but it's never really been necessary for us.