STAMP collectors come in as many varieties as the paper squares they collect. Even in the era of e-mail and digital communications, it's a hobby whose appeal continues to endure.

But after decades of satisfying philatelists' every whim, Southend's specialist stamp store is calling it a day.

AF Jackson Hodgson is shutting up shop after 42 years - thought it will continue to trade online and by mail order.

Phil Jackson and wife, Margaret, have decided it's time to start taking life a bit easier .

Mr Jackson, 60, set up the business in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff with his father, Jack, in 1966.

It quickly outgrew the original premises, so they moved, first to Alexandra Street and then to the present Clarence Street shop where they have traded for 25 years.

The family also originally had a second shop in Chelmsford, but sold it when Mr Jackson married 37 years ago.

He said: "We have a terrific customer base who have kept us going. We've never had to advertise. Business just happens. We're very lucky.

"We buy and sell stock from wherever we can get it. Customers often pass on entire collections to us, if someone has died, or is unable to continue collecting, or storing it.

"You can't tell a collector by looking at them. They come from every profession and are every type of person.

"It's nice for parents and grandparents to bring in youngsters and try to get them started. Children can soak up a lot of geography and history without trying."

Customers have travelled a good way to shop at AF Jackson Hodgson. Di Stiling, for instance, is from West London. She started buying stamps from the shop when she visited her parents in Southend.

She said: "I've been coming here since 1967.

"I started collecting when I was a child and I can't stop. As a collector, I couldn't tell you how many I have - but there are always more I want."

Leonard Frewin, 71, from Shoebury, visits the shop once a fortnight and collects both stamps and cigarette cards - in some cases paying as much as £2,000 for a stamp.

He said: "I've been coming here for 60-odd years. I like to come in and stay for a cup of tea. I'll be very sad to see the shop go."

The shop specialises in British and Commonwealth stamps, and also cigarette cards.

Among its treasures is a copy of the very first collectors' catalogue of stamps, from 1897, which cost 42 shillings. Nowadays, the catalogue runs to five volumes and costs £175.

Mr Jackson says his favourite stamps are the old classic stamps from 1840 - penny blacks and tupenny blues.

"They are charismatic and are little works of art," the father of two, explained.

Moving the business on to the internet has opened it to a whole new market.

Mr Jackson said: "A tremendous amount of work is needed behind the scenes with internet trading, which is why, until now, we haven't concentrated on it. Moving to an office gives us chance to try it.

"Our reason for closing is not business, we are as busy as ever, but want more time and a better lifestyle.

"It was ever such a difficult decision, but now we've made it, we're looking forward to it.

"The biggest thing I will miss is the interaction with customers."

The shop closes on Friday - just in time for the Jacksons to enjoy a trip to China for the Beijing Olympics, before they get stuck into the online business. They can be e-mailed at philjacksonstamps@ btinternet.com