Staff and customers at Winford Road Garage near Bristol have celebrated the business’ 45th anniversary with a day of fun.

There were events for children including bouncy castles, a barbecue and refreshments, as well as promotional deals in store and a birthday cake with a photograph of the store printed on it.

The Esso-branded forecourt and Spar store serve an affluent local community in the rural Chew Valley area to the south of Bristol.

The business was opened in 1967 as a local vehicle service centre under the ownership of Geoff Taylor and today is run by his son Justin.

The father and son team developed the previously unbranded forecourt shop seven years ago, doubling its size to a 1,250sq ft Spar store in a major co-investment development scheme with regional distributor Appleby Westward.

Justin said: “We previously sold mainly snacks and confectionery, but the forecourt store now provides a fantastic modern convenience offer for our rural community, including a range of delicatessen-style chilled and fresh products sourced locally.”