Department store maintenance man Anthony Carey normally paints, decorates and fixes pipes.

But once a year Brighton's oldest department store Hanningtons calls on his services as a talented pianist to provide some festive cheer during the Christmas period.

But this will be the last time Anthony dons his best bib and tucker for Christmas because the grand old lady of North Street is closing in June.

Anthony, 45, from Peacehaven, is saddened by the prospect of Hanningtons closing but his piano-playing is lifting people's spirits. He said: "It is amazing the number of people who come up and say how nice it is to have live music instead of piped musak.

"I have worked in the store for five years and would have liked to retire here. It's like one big family, very close-knit, and I don't think I will find employment as enjoyable as this for as long as I live."

Store manager Trevor Guy will lock the doors for the last time on a yet-to-be-decided day in the middle of June. It will be a tearful time for many of the 250 staff, some of whom have worked at Hanningtons for decades. But the dreaded countdown to closure has been put on hold as workers cope with the Yuletide deluge.

The store, a sprawling light-blue building which dominates North Street and East Street, is decked out with lights and tinsel.

Hanningtons, a feature of Brighton for almost 200 years, has been sold to a London property investment company called Regina Estates Ltd for a reputed £23.5 million.

It is anticipated the store, owned by the Hunnisett family for more than 30 years, will be broken up into smaller units.

Mr Guy, manager for the past decade, said: "We have many customers coming in on a daily basis expressing sorrow that they will no longer be able to do their shopping here, or get the selection and service that goes with it."

But there is no doubt the building itself is past its sell-by date, harking back to days when staff lived above the shop and had to serve the firm for at least ten years and pay a fine if they left before.

Some rooms not open to the public still have Victorian fireplaces, hand-painted tiles and stained-glass windows.

One room on the top floor is packed full of memorabilia compiled by display supervisor Julie Ball.

Artefacts range from photographs and old keys to hand-written ledgers recording every item sold.

Most of the collection will be passed on to local museums, and Julie, an employee for nearly 13 years, will be sad to see it go.

She said: "I think Brighton needs a store like Hanningtons and North Street won't be the same without us."

Mr Guy said the store was helping staff to find other jobs.

There are 120 stock rooms and a basement full of goods to be sorted before a public auction of fixtures and fittings in July.

Eileen Esposito, who joined Hanningtons from school aged 15 in 1963, said: "Hanningtons is unique and it is going to be the end of an era."