A FAMILY business with a long and illustrious history in the North-East has marked the end of an era -and the beginning of another.

On April 1, Pattison Brothers stopped delivering sacks of coal to customers after 100 years of providing the service. It will continue to provide coal to people who pick it up from their office in Mayfair Road, Darlington.

Pattisons was founded in the late 1890s in Hartlepool by Robert Pattison.

In about 1928, his son Walter moved the business to Darlington with his brother Billy, and they began to establish Pattison Brothers in the area.

Business blossomed, and soon the brothers were able to purchase lorries to deliver the coal.

Walter eventually brought his own sons - Walter Junior, Brian and Derek - into the business to work with him.

The brothers took over the business when Walter died and, when they themselves retired, Stephen, Walter Junior's son and Robert Pattison's great-grandson, took over the reins.

Over the years, as the nature of the coal industry has changed, so the business has had to adapt.

And last week, Stephen Pattison, 47, delivered his last sacks of coal. The delivery business has been sold to Woodhouse, who can be contacted on (01642) 241644.

But although the Pattison family were sorry to say goodbye to the service, it had already opened the latest chapter in its history by starting a coach hire service.

Stephen has brought in his sisters - Lynn Johns, 40, and Annette Cuthbertson, 45 - to help run the coach business.

Lynn said: "Times change and lifestyles and living styles chance and there became a much less demand for coal, so we have turned our energies into new things."

Stephen said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to all our customers who have used us over the many years."

To hire the 16-seater coaches, call (01325) 467177.