A MUCH-LOVED sweet shop in Cirencester is celebrating its two year anniversary, and owners Matt and Julie said how much they pride themselves on being a shop 'for the locals'.

The Candy Man, based in Black Jack Street, opened two years ago and it still gets a 'wow' from first-time customers when they walk into the little store.

Owned by husband and wife Matt and Julie Townsend, both 53, the Candy Man is a local favourite to adults and children of all ages.

"It's been a brilliant two years," said Matt, when asked about the key milestone. "We set up the shop in memory of my father, John, who was the Cirencester scout leader for many years. He loved children, which is why we set up a sweet shop."

The pair knew they wanted to find a shop based in Black Jack Street and when their current premises came on the market they snapped it up, before opening the shop just two months later.

"We try and keep things local as much as we can," added Matt, who was born and bred in Cirencester. His wife Julie has lived here for 30 years. "We aim ourselves at the locals. We have a good relationship with the schools and we're one of the few places in town where kids can come in with just a few pence. We don't have a lower price limit.

"We cater for children of ages, whether they are one or 100! We have a little old lady who comes in once every three weeks to get her fix of what she calls 'proper winter mix'."

And the couple have no plans to leave the town with Matt saying: "We'll be here for as long as we can stay open". Often if they cannot run the shop for whatever reason, they are helped out by their daughter, Emma, 28, who got married this week, and son David, 26.

Matt and Julie celebrated their shop's anniversary on Saturday with a cotton candy machine and balloons in Black Jack Street outside their store.