Customers have told of their shock after the only butcher's in New Addington unexpectedly closed.

Meat Express, on Central Parade, shut suddenly last night (Tuesday) and has remained closed today (Wednesday).

When the Advertiser called the shop, an employee said he couldn't comment on the closure.

We then spoke to the owner Phil Walsh, who said the business has closed for "personal reasons".

He wouldn't comment further on the closure.

Customers have expressed their sadness at the fact it has shut.

Michelle Dorrington, 59, who lives on Field Way, said: "To be honest with you I am shocked because we have been using the same butcher's for 30-odd years.

"I don't go in there every week because I couldn't afford it but we always use it for Christmas and normally get their hampers which they do."

Ms Dorrington, who has lived in New Addington all her life, explained how she would buy two hampers from the butcher's every year, which cost around £80 and contain chicken, stuffing and the usual Christmas trimmings.

To afford this, every month she goes into the butcher's and puts money on a pre-paid card, with the idea being that in time for Christmas and when she needs the hamper, she would have saved enough money to purchase the hampers.

She currently has £80 on her card but has been told by Meat Express that she will be fully refunded, along with everyone else who has put money onto cards.

"I had no idea it was going to close at all," she said. "It was such a surprise and it's going to be sorely missed and so many people are saying they always went there, bought this and bought that.

"I got on really well with the manager of the butcher's, a man named Tony, and he would do anything for me so it's disappointing it has closed."

Anna Austin, 72, of Overbury Crescent, said she visited the butcher's because the meat is "much better" than what you buy at supermarkets.

She said: "Obviously nobody had any idea and it's a great shame and it will be a great loss. It is one of the few places where you can buy the different pieces of meat you actually want.

"I'm really shocked and we always go there for our Christmas turkey and they know exactly how we want it."

Although it is too early to know what will replace Meat Express, Sarah Hornet, who lives in New Addington, doesn't want to see another fast food takeaway on the parade.

The 47-year-old said: "Obviously it's not nice seeing a business like this being forced to close but it's what goes in its place which worries me. Another takeaway would be bad for the parade.

"We need a clothes shop or something like that - it's important to keep variety up there."