A BUSINESSMAN wants to reassure customers of his pharmacy's future in the village after announcing it will be going into administration.

Tom McCullough, owner of Haydon Bridge Pharmacy has announced that he will be selling the buisness after a recent meeting with his bank manager.

Tom, who has had the business for 16 years and employees twenty local people to dispense medication to residents in Northumberland, has suffered a huge amount of economic loss over the years leading him to run out of cash to support the business.

Despite the devestating situation,Tom still wants to reassure customers across Tynedale that the pharmacy will remain open and run normally during this time.

"I feel devastated. All the hard work I have put in has come to nothing and I feel frustrated," Tom said.

"I was told a week ago and had to tell my staff, customers including care homes and patients what was happening.

"Although I will not be the owner after it is sold on, the main message I would like to say to all the customers is that there will still be a pharmacy after I leave.

"There has been a lot of interest, so it now depends on the right person and price.

"The aim is to sell to someone who is local and will also keep the team I have with me on.

"Until it is sold, the pharmacy will run as normal, and nothing will be changed.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community and the team who have been supporting me for the 16 years of running the business.

"I will still be around the village for a couple months and then I will plan what I will do next."