IT'S the end of an era at Kidderminster Railway Station as the kiosk prepares to close after 34 years before the building is knocked down and replaced.

Colin Brooks took over the kiosk in 1985 when it was based out of a wooden cabin on one of the station platforms, after working as a milkman in Kidderminster for 17 years.

In 1993, the business moved into an old manager's room in the station building, where Colin and, in recent years, his wife Lynn have been selling newspapers and refreshments to rail users ever since.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Now aged 65, Colin will be retiring next Saturday after being told his job would be terminated as part of a £5 million scheme to redevelop Kidderminster Station.

Colin, who has lived in the town all of his life, said: "I'll be sad to see it go.

"This business has served us well over the years and I'm going to miss the rapport with the customers. Some of them have been coming here for 30 years.

"I think the new station will be good for Kidderminster - it will be an asset for the town.

"There will be a shop at the new station but the train company has put it up for tender. It wouldn't be worth us going for it - we're too old now. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow of progress."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Some of Colin's most memorable moments over the years include TV personality Rustie Lee opening his new kiosk after he offered her a lift to Birmingham when she missed her train, meeting Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, and holding the Olympic Torch as it passed through Kidderminster in 2012.

His wife Lynn said: "Lots of people have said they're sad to see us go.

"Colin knows what everyone has. He'll see them coming across the forecourt and get their drink ready or he'll be running after them to give them their paper.

"We didn't have a holiday for 18 years because Colin didn't want to leave this shop.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"It will certainly be a sad day when we close but Colin is ready to retire. He's had enough early mornings."

Colin and Lynn will start their retirement with a trip to Disneyland with their daughter and grandchildren.

Simone Carter, station manager for West Midlands Railway, said: “Kidderminster Station kiosk has served commuters faithfully for the past 34 years and Colin has been an important part of life at the station during this time.

"We want to thank him for serving passengers over the years and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

A temporary ticket office is set to be installed at the station next month before demolition starts on the old station to make way for a new glass-fronted building.