A dry cleaners that has served a community for over five decades has been saved from closure.

Beach Road Dry Cleaners Ltd in Beach Road, Littlehampton, was set to close this month, however a new owner for the business has now been found.

Lara Barnett, who had run the shop for the past 16 years, said the shop was originally due to close on March 28 because of rising costs and health issues.

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She told The Argus last month: "I’ve got an autoimmune disease that is progressively getting worse and I physically am not able to work my business any more."

However, last week she announced the "exciting news" that the business will continue.

A spokesman for the company said on Facebook: "We are happy to announce that Beach Road Dry Cleaners will be continuing to provide all dry cleaning, laundry and repairs services after March 28 as normal.

"A new owner will be taking over the business and will continue to provide the complete range of cleaning and alteration/repair services.

"Specialist cleaning will be done off-site as a requirement of the property insurance constraints.

"Lara will be providing the new owner with assistance and a smooth transition to continue the great service currently provided to the local community, which has been in place for over 55 years."