LIFE will change in a big way for popular Pilning couple Tony and Moira Adams when the swap Severnside for the wide open spaces of Texas.

After more than six busy years running Pilning and Redwick Post Office and Stores, the couple have sold the business and are planning a new future in the Lone Star State.

If all goes to plan, this time next year will see Tony and Moira and their 17- year-old son David waving goodbye to the UK and setting up home in the second largest state in the Union - probably in the Dallas region.

"We're off to Lincolnshire first while we sort everything out and organize permanent residency permits," said Tony, whose wife is sub postmistress.

"We've been going to States on holiday for more than 20 years and we just love the country - and Texas in particular. Part of it is the space and openness but we also like the lifestyle and the people.

"We haven't finally decided what we'll be doing out there. We might go into business again and I'm also planning to do a plumbing course to add another string to my bow.

"It's just something we really want to do while we can enjoy it - before the get up and go has got up and gone!"

A hardworking supporter of Pilning Carnival, Tony said that both he Moira were finding it hard to leave a village where they had been so happy.

"It's quite a wrench," he said. "Pilning is great and we have met some lovely people and made good friends. We shall be coming back to visit as often as we can - especially at Carnival time."

The Post Office and Stores are being taken over by Akhtar Shamim.