The party had to end some time - and for Carole and Clive Tasker it has lasted 17 years.

They have reluctantly pulled down the shutters at Party Plus, on Cowley Road.

Mr Tasker said: "It's a sign of the strong community spirit that since the "sold" notice went up there's been a steady stream of folk calling in to say how sorry they are to see the shop shut."

Mrs Tasker said: "The party shop only worked because we ran Lamb Catering from the same shop - it was never really viable as a stand-alone and now we will concentrate on the catering side."

Since they moved their catering business from Wallingford in 1989, the 'pound shop' next door in Cowley Road has become the Zodiac, while on the other side, a hairdresser evolved into a Turkish restaurant, followed by two Indian restaurants and now a takeaway kebab shop.

The couple have sold their Cowley Road shop and are moving Lamb Catering to a larger purpose-built unit at the Chancerygate Business Centre in Cowley, where they plan to expand the business, and take on more staff.

They are sad to say goodbye to the stock of costumes, wedding finery and joke presents.

However, Mrs Tasker said there were some party items they couldn't bear to part with.

He added: "We will still be supplying disposable plates, cutlery and helium balloons - not in ones and twos but in larger numbers, for our parties and functions."