A CRAFT centre near Bewdley, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, will be closing its doors for the final time in the spring.

Mamble Craft Centre, which is housed in 17th century barns, sells a range of gifts, including jewellery, pottery and artwork and showcases work by local and renowned craftspeople.

Managing director, Catherine Duggins, said: "We've had a wonderful time running the centre and it will be a great wrench not to be working with the great team of people here any longer.

"The part-time staff, who all live locally or are away studying at university, were advised in early October that the centre would be closing in 2006 so that those wishing to seek new employment would have as much time as possible to do so.

"Unfortunately, times are difficult at the moment in the tourism and retail sectors as business costs rise steeply, while the general public are finding increasing pressures on the money in their pockets.

"It's not surprising that many small rural businesses such as ours are considering whether or not it is worth continuing to trade, especially when the economic outlook appears poor," she added.

The centre will re-open briefly after a seasonal break on Saturday, January 14.