The smell of freshly baked bread has wafted over Osney Island every morning for more than 100 years.

But when the last batch of loaves leave the ovens of Woodward's & Sons tomorrow morning it will herald the end of the line for one of Oxford's oldest bakeries.

The Bridge Street bakery has been providing the city with bread since 1882, when William Woodward left the Boffins Bakery to set up on his own.

Two further generations of the Woodward family took charge of the business until 1976 when Ernest Woodward sold up to his partner, Michael Ferret.

Now, after more than 20 years of baking, Mr Ferret, 55, and his wife, Pat, 52, have decided that it is time to enjoy a social life and regular sleep.close the doors and get some sleep.on the business for good. Mrs Ferrett said: "We just feel we need a change, a break from the business. You always wake up at three o'clock and when you aren't working you're asleep. You have no social life."

Mr Ferrett said: "We feel sad for our customers more than anything, some of them have been with us for years. A lot of them will be sorry to see us go, but I think that's because they will miss the bread rather than us. It hasn't really hit us yet that we are going to close - we have been too busy to think about it, but I think our main emotion will be a feeling of relief."

The Ferretts plan to take a long break to consider their future after leaving the bakery on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the residents of Osney Island will be hoping that someone comes to the rescue and snaps up Woodward's & Sons so that the traditional bakery isn't lost forever.

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