A much-loved family bakery, famous for its Mr Blobby biscuits, is closing after thriving for more than 90 years.

Vanes, in Dover High Street, has been run by four generations but present boss Jeff Vane is winding down the business as he finds himself “in the new role of grandad”.

The business remains healthy but Mr Vane is heading towards retirement and the successive family generation is unable to take over, as they are in other work.

He announced the closure on the firm’s Facebook page on Monday – with loyal customers expressing their dismay.

“Vanes the family bakers will start to wind down to an eventual close in the coming months,” he wrote.

“This has been a very big decision taken over a period of time.

“But as I approach retirement age and find myself in the new role of grandad I feel it is time to start winding down the business to an eventual close.”

More than 100 people have commented on the Facebook post, with many bemoaning the loss of the icing-topped Mr Blobby biscuits – which still sell at 200 a week.

“How much for the recipe?" one man quipped.

A woman said: “No!!!! Where will I get our Mr Blobbys from now?”

Meanwhile, Peter Sherred wrote: “Well, this is a shame - the loss of such an established family business is very sad news.

“Hopefully the business can be sold to people committed to keeping the business operating. The best hot cross buns purchased from here for over 70 years!”

Mr Vane, now 64, has been in charge of the family business since 1995 and was a baker there for a decade before that.

While he is ready to give up his 3am wake-ups, he is still in the early stages of exploring options to sell the premises.

The bakery will soon begin trading five days a week instead of the present six. This is to gradually move towards closure in 2024.

Mr Vane added that the shop was a constant in the changing High Street and remarked: “There cannot be many Dovorians now who could recall a time when Vanes was not there.”

He told KentOnline: “My head baker is moving to another job and for years I have had to get up at 3am. It is time to wind down.”

Mr Vane’s daughter Alice Vane, an ex-employee in the business, told KentOnline: “Vanes has always been part of my life and Dad has worked at the bakery six days a week and with long hours.

“We don’t know exactly when the business will close next year but we are talking to people like accountants to deal with that.”

Other commenters on the Facebook post were nostalgic about the bakery.

“My dad would come into your shop in the mornings and bring home warm bread rolls for his growing family of 10 children,” one wrote.

“Wonderful memories of your shop in the 1950' and 1960s.”

Another woman said: “Had a great time working for you, from when I left school to when I left to start a family 28 years. Still people say to me: ‘Did you work at Vanes?’”

Another customer commented that they and colleagues used the bakery for their lunch in the early 1990s when they had a pet shop next door.