Today sees the end of an era for a mobility company that has been trading in the Falmouth and Penryn area for the last decade, with relocation resulting in the loss of over a fifth of its workforce.

Horizon Mobility was founded by brothers Mike and Graham Billcliffe in 1997 and was originally based at the Bickland Industrial Estate.

The company moved to premises at Ponsharden - previously occupied by the Packet - in 1999 and its website states that it is now the largest independent manufacturer of mobility scooters in the UK.

However, the manufacturing side of the company is now moving to Evesham in Worcestershire, with a telemarketing centre remaining in Falmouth, at the Tregoniggie Industrial Estate. Of the 64 workers, 14 of them are set to lose their jobs.

Co-founder Graham Billcliffe said: "It's purely the logistics for being down here. By moving to Evesham we're within a two-hour drive from 90 per cent of our customers. It's just one of those things. It's just too difficult down here."

Mr Billcliffe said he had mixed feelings about the move, as his family had been in the area for 50 years, but added that the new set up would be "an interesting challenge."

Horizon Mobility shuts down for Christmas today, December 21, as per usual - the only difference being that when it reopens in the New Year it will be operating from two new premises.

Mr Billcliffe stressed: "Local customers don't need to be concerned. They still have service and support. All the telephone numbers remain the same."

He concluded: "We're sad to be moving in that I've spent my life down here. But I'm afraid Cornwall has great difficulties, especially with the increase in cost of transport."

The move opens up the way for the site to be taken on by supermarket company Lidl UK. The matter went before Carrick district council back in January and it was reported in the Packet that Lidl was expected to take on the site on a 99-year lease once they came up with an approved brief.

At the time, council officials said that the proposed deal would offer the authority the chance to extend its freehold interest and enjoy a considerably increased annual rental income from the asset. The land alongside Falmouth Road at Ponsharden belongs to Carrick council.