TWIN brothers are celebrating 40 years at the helm of a family-run business by throwing a party.

For four decades Richard and Nigel Wallbridge, 62, who left school at 14, have run Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre, in Sandy Lane.

When they took over in 1968 the small nursery consisted of five heated greenhouses and had a turnover of just £3,000.

Now the 12-acre site, which underwent a £1m expansion programme four years ago, has a turnover of more than £15m and is home to a 200-seat restaurant, an antiques centre, a landscaping division and pet shops selling fish and reptiles. And it has more than 100 staff.

Richard said: "The key to the business has been to adapt to the market changes.

"Right from the very start we were faced with lots of challenges, whether it was joining the Common Market in 1973 or the oil crisis in the 1970s.

"We are not complacent, but the future is looking good for the garden centre in what is a fiercely competitive market with big multiples on the doorstep."

The Wallbridges said they had always tried to give something back to the community. In the past, they have supported initiatives to help disabled gardeners and donated charity proceeds to Helen and Douglas House hospice in East Oxford.

More recently, Yarnton Garden Centre has worked with the Leys Community Centre, in Blackbird Leys, to help rehabilitate people with drug and alcohol addictions.

The nursery provides the centre with work experience opportunities, which in some cases has led to employment.

Richard and Nigel have invited more than 200 old friends, family members and business associates to a meal and party at the nursery on Thursday.