A COUPLE of motorcycling maniacs turned mechanics are finally closing the doors of one of Kidderminster's oldest independent garages.

Cyril Crane met John Blount through their shared passion for racing motorcycle scramblers and set up Crane Bros - initially with Mr Crane's brother John - in Bromsgrove Street in 1959.

Now age has finally caught up with them. mechanics John Blount and Cyril Crane outside their Kidderminster garage which is finally closing.

The pair have had a unique insight on the changing community they have worked with but after four decades they are ready to put away their spanners.

In 1963 the garage moved to nearby Prospect Hill after its original premises were demolished in a huge redevelopment scheme - which Mr Crane feels drained the area of life.

"People lived here but now the town's dead," said Mr Crane, 73. "There were pubs, shops and people about - a real community. Now there's strangers about. There's no locals."

The mechanics, who have fixed just about every make of car and motorcycle, have specialised in automatic gearboxes for the last 15 years .

Previously Crane Bros carried out general repairs and serviced hearses and taxis.

"We've fixed Rolls Royces, Daimlers and SS Jaguars - which had the gear lever and hand brake on the outside," said Mr Crane.

"Before, we'd make parts and mend parts. With electrics it's much more of a replacement job.

"It's a different ball game."