A FAMILY antiques business is to close after more than 50 years of trading with a new development planned for the premises.

K and A Welch Antiques of Church Street, Warminster has been run for the past 35 years by brothers Ken and Alan Welch. The shop was started by their father in 1951.

The brothers have lodged a planning application for a town house with improved access on the shop site. They also plan to convert the shop's showroom into three houses and for a further two to be built on the site.

Co-owner Alan Welch said: "We feel now is the right time to retire. Much of our business has been in exporting to America and since September 11 trade has not been what it was.

"The development will still fit into the character of the road."