Residents in a UK seaside town have been left "gutted" by the news that a popular local chocolate shop is set to close after more than two decades in business. Vic and Karen Dowdey opened Sweet Moments in Seaford, East Sussex, in 2003 and carved out a loyal customer base from locals and holidaymakers in the years that followed. Usually, the couple spend March preparing for their busiest trading period - Easter - but this year will look a little different, with the family firm preparing to shut up shop later in the spring.

Vic, 62, and Karen, 64, are planning to retire in April or May after dealing with the Easter rush, and will shutter their business as a result - unless someone else steps in to take the reins. "We've come to that age that after being here 23 years, we need to retire," Vic told the BBC. "It would be nice if someone else took the business on. There has been interest. Whether that comes to fruition, I don't know."

The couple's announcement of the closure news on Facebook prompted an outpouring of sadness from locals, with many thanking them for being an "asset to the town".

"I'm absolutely gutted," one person wrote. "My family regularly gets chocolates from you, they are a wonderful treat and we always expect them for birthdays, etc. It will be a sad day in our household when you close."

Another added: "My favourite shop and delicious chocolates with great service. You will be missed."

Sweet Moments stocks more than 85 different kinds of chocolates, specially imported from Belgium, and is one of Seaford's oldest high street businesses.

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Karen said: "We work long hours making up the gifts [so] we're looking forward to putting our feet up after Easter Sunday.

"A lot of people are congratulating us on retiring, a few people are sad because they won't be able to get the chocolates anymore unless someone takes over."

She added that it "wasn't really a hard decision" because of the couple's age, which discouraged them from signing another 10-year lease agreement.

"Age creeps up very suddenly," she explained. "That's quite a long commitment when you're approaching retirement."