PETE Palmer, manager of Hollands Newsagent, in Market Place, Chippenham, is leaving after ten years and hopes to set up his own business.

Mr Palmer, 36, of Farm House Drive, Chippenham, said he is close to tying up a deal to buy his own newsagent's shop near Stonehenge, near to where he grew up.

He plans to leave Hollands Newsagent, owned by Newshops, on November 18.

"I have enjoyed working here," said Mr Palmer, who has been the manager since 1990.

"I work seven days a week and know so many people who come in to the shop."

Mr Palmer won Newshop's newsagent of the year in 1998.

Judges were particularly impressed that every day he drives to the homes of each paperboy to drop off the newspapers to be delivered.