A popular couple who have owned and managed the Colman Road Post Office for 30 years will be retiring at the end of the year.

Nachiket and his wife Hasumati Devlukia, who live on Christchurch Road, took over at the Post Office (which is now Norfolk windows and conservatories) in October 1984 when Mr Devlukia was recommended to the previous post master by a friend.

The 70-year-old arrived in England in 1972 with his wife and young daughter as a refugee from Uganda after the country's leader ordered 60,000 Asians to leave the country.

He said: 'When I owned the Post Office it was an achievement. For a refugee to come into this country with nothing and then have that. I can't forget that.'

Mr Devlukia now manages the Post Office situated inside Boots on Colman Road, while his wife works behind the counter and are now looking forward to spending more time with their three children and three grandchildren and new grandchild due at the end of March 2015.

'My parents are going to India in January to have a month break and then grandparent duties will kick in,' said their son Kailesh Devlukia.

'When we were kids one of them would go on holiday and the other would stay to look after the post office. They have made a lot of sacrifices and they're very passionate about the business and customers.'

The couple have said they will miss the customers the most.

Mrs Devlukia, 68, said: 'I love the Norwich people. They always supported us and they became a family to us.'

Mr Devlukia added: 'We've seen generations of the same family. The customers are what I'll miss the most.'

The Devlukias will be leaving on December 31 and a new manager will take over.

What are your memories of the Devlukias? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk