OFF-LICENCE manager Colin Garrett, who had the art of making all of his customers feel special, is swapping shop life for the great outdoors as he turns his hobby of landscaping painting into a career.

Mr Garrett, 52, joined Edwin Giddings in Devizes as a teenager straight from Devizes School and has remained there ever since gaining a wide knowledge of wine that he loved to share with his customers.

He said: "When I first started in the early 1980s people didn't drink much wine. They might have a glass of Liebfraumilch now and again but when they came in here they were a bit scared they didn't know anything about wine.

"I liked to take the snobbery away from it and show them they did know what they liked."

His customers loved his special blend of service and many have been saddened by his decision to leave after 35 years. Customer Shirley Hatt said: "Colin has been a tremendous character in the shop having worked there since leaving school. I know he will be greatly missed by many in the town."

Wadworth retail manager Denise Sheridan also praised Mr Garrett for his loyal service and dedication to his customers. She said: "Colin is fantastic. Everybody loves him but he is a very unassuming and modest man. He is also a very good artist and we wish him every success in the next chapter of his life."

Mr Garrett, who lives in Devizes and is married to Caroline, will now devote his time to his painting. Until now he has done most of his work of landscapes of the Wiltshire countryside and neighbouring counties from sketches and photographs but will now spend more time sat at his easel in fields.

He said: "I felt now was the right time to give this a go. I will really miss all the Edwin Giddings customers and people I worked with but this is something I want to try."

He is hoping to team up with some local charity shops so sales of his paintings can help good causes as well as acting as a showcase for his work.

He was presented with a bronze of a shire as a leaving present from Wadworth to remind him of the horses that delivered to the shop.