FIFTH generation Bradfordian James Vincent has been given the town’s achievement award for his work and contributions to Bradford on Avon.

Mr Vincent, owner of J Alex Brown hardware in Silver Street, was presented with the honour at a full council meeting on Tuesday and said he could not believe someone had nominated him.

He said: “I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t even know there was an award to win. I just run an ordinary shop and stay open as long as I can, by giving people what they want.”

“It’s nice to think, from those humble beginnings and having that small business that granddad built up, I can say that I have the oldest business in Bradford and still one of Bradford’s oldest families running it.”

Mr Vincent reopened J Alex Brown last November, after the shop, originally called Allin Engineering, shut in August 2013.

He also co-owns nearby garden centre Avonfield Gardens with business partner Matthew Webb.

Antonia MacGregor, a frequent customer of the shop, praised his work.

She said: “He is open all hours and if you want something they don’t have then he will always make sure to get it.”

The award has been an annual tradition of the council, awarded to people who have given outstanding service to the community and who works for the good of others, without reward.

Mayor John Potter who presented the honour, said: “If there is anybody here who hasn’t bought anything from James’s shop, be ashamed.”

“He sells everything and it is a fantastic achievement to have done such a brilliant job to that shop.”

Mr Vincent added: “All I do is just open in the morning, brush a few pavement stones and take in parcels for people.”