Stepping inside A Foster and Sons in Kidlington is just like walking back into the past.

The cobbler's shop has remained relatively untouched for more than half-a-century and the homely smells of shoe leather, glue and polish seem familiar - even comforting.

But all this history is coming to an end, because the village institution is preparing to shut its doors for the final time.

Brothers Keith and Tony Foster, who in their stained overalls seem as much a part of the business as the old machinery and shoe-mending materials lining the walls of their workshop, are retiring today.

And the news has shocked the community.

Tony, 74, said: "You wouldn't think people would be so surprised we're calling it a day at our age, but they are and a lot of them aren't happy about it."

Keith, 78, said: "I was 14 when dad decided we would start a shoe-mending business.

"He sent me away to learn the trade at the Well Shod menders, in Castle Street, Oxford. I then had to come back and teach him."

Fosters has been a fixture in Kidlington High Street since 1955.

Tony said: "We didn't have the business up and running straight away - we got a van and Keith and our mum Hilda picked up and delivered the shoes we repaired from grocery shops in local villages.

"From that we got a name as reliable and the business grew."

Shoe mending, like most things, has moved with the times and the brothers could have updated their equipment over the years - and undoubtedly made their job a lot easier - but it wasn't an option.

Keith said: "We didn't have the money.

"Some weeks we'd be mending the odd pair of shoes, others we'd have lots.

"Business is obviously good in winter, but in summer it's not - people don't pay to have sandals mended - they buy new ones."

Tony added: "We're both widowed, but we have children, we have our gardens and there's always plenty to do.

"People have said 'you can't close, what will we do?' and a few have even suggested we go part-time.

"But we don't feel bad. We've been doing this for a long time and we just want to stop now."

Work to tidy up the remains of 50 years of business is almost finished and it isn't just old memories that remain.

Keith said: "We've still got shoes that have been here since 2003. They'll go to Sobell House.

"In the past we've found out that blokes have brought in their shoes and then been sent to prison - but we always have them still when they get out."

No more though.

It seems the people of Kidlington are just going to have to start taking better care of their shoes in the years ahead.