A car mechanic will be evicted from the site he has occupied for more than 30 years.

Phil Darby, 50, has run the Rectory Service Station in Rectory Road, Worthing, since he was a teenager.

Q8 Petroleum (UK Holdings Ltd), owner of the site, gave Mr Darby one month's notice until September to shut up shop 33 years after he began trading there.

Mr Darby managed to get an extension and now has until 5pm on Friday to move out.

Seven months ago, Worthing Borough Council refused a developer permission to build a small supermarket on the site.

It is expected to appeal to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister against the council's refusal.

Mr Darby will move to temporary premises off Wiston Avenue on Friday.

Thursday, October 27, 2005