POPULAR family butchers Sweeney's has thanked customers for their support after leaving Warrington Market after more than 22 years.

The popular stall announced its closure last week after trading from the temporary market, which opened in September, became too difficult.

Seventy-two-year-old Roy Sweeney, who established the business, was planning to take retirement with his son, who is also called Roy, and daughter Karen Burke due to take over.

But 45-year-old Karen said with the car park being situated 'too far away for older people' paired with the locations of bus stops, the family struggled to get footfall to their stall.

She said: "We had to be realistic for ourselves. The time was right to go.

"We moved into the new market in September, and at first I did say 'shall we give it a miss going in' because I felt we wouldn't survive, but I said 'let's at least give it a go'.

"As you can tell everyone loved us, but if you haven't got the customers you can't survive.

"I would like to thank everyone for the kind words and I'm overwhelmed with all the beautiful comments.

"I feel like I have let my family down because they feel like family. It is an absolute shame."

Many customers have taken to social media to express their disappointment and offer kind words to the much-loved Sweeney family.

One said: "We are all absolutely gutted. Thank you for all the wonderful memories you've helped us create over the past few years. We can’t put into words how much we owe you."

Another added: "You will be missed Sweeney's and Co. Thank you for your fabulous meat products and lovely service. Truly spoilt by the quality you serve, not sure where we will go to shop now."