The end of the road for historic garage

A West Midlands car dealership has closed its forecourt after 56 years. Peter Carroll looks at the story behind Boston's of Milford.

It's been the oldest independent car dealership in Stafford for as long as anyone can remember. . .

Bostons of Milford has been selling vehicles from its semi-rural site on the edge of Cannock Chase for over half a century.

Even owner Derek Boston describes it as a 'country bumpkin garage.' Yet he has rubbed shoulders with his share of aristocrats - and once found himself under a Mercedes with King Constantine of Greece trying to fix a mechanical fault.

"The King was a friend of Lord Lichfield who was a regular customer here," recalls Derek. "We got his car fixed in the end and off he went."

During his 47 years in the motor trade, Derek has dispatched cars as far afield as the Orkneys in the UK and was delighted to be told that a Hillman Hunter bearing a 'Bostons of Milford' sticker had been spotted in the Falklands.