A leading North Devon businessman is closing his Christian shop and cafe — on Christmas Eve.

Philip Milton, a financial advisor who is also the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for North Devon, will close the Doves Christian Centre in Boutport Street because he says he cannot afford to keep it open any longer.

Mr Milton said he had responsibility for Doves for 20 years and had always seen the shop as his "personal charity", demanding a regular infusion of his funds.

But he said costs had continued to go up — and sales have not.

The closure will mean one full-time and three part-time members of staff will be made redundant.

Mr Milton said their wage bill had been a "crippling cost".

He said: "Perhaps realistically the centre can only run under an owner-occupier who can manage it by being on-the-spot, monitoring business flows and costs and by building the venture through their personal initiative and efforts.

"A core base of willing volunteers is ready and waiting to take the vision further and whilst the North Devon community needs to support it, someone with vision can make the centre a fantastic resource and a wonderful place of refreshment in the middle of town, with an unrivalled tea gardens as an oasis of tranquillity."

Mr Milton said he was grateful for the staff, volunteers and customers over the years who had helped to keep the centre running.

He hopes someone else will take on the business, which was recently moved into new premises, and make it successful.

The shop sells books, CDs, DVDs, and gifts, all with a Christian theme.