Books and Warwick have played a major part in the life of eccentric Smith Street trader Duncan Allsop.
He modestly claims to be "fairly well read" having been an antiquarian bookseller in the town for the past 40 years, an anniversary he and his wife Veronica celebrated this week.
And a lot has changed in Smith Street and his specialist profession during that time.
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Click here to email your reportWhile technology has undeniably made life harder for the bookselling trade, Mr Allsop is fervent in his belief that there is still a demand for it.
He even owns a computer, which he unfavourably refers to as "the beast".
Mr Allsop said: "I do not believe people are less well-read these days; I think that's a myth.
"People still collect books and always will because without them you are lost.
"Doctors need Gray's and politicians will always need Hansard so they remain essential.
"It is not an easy profession if you haven't got any experience - but it makes for an interesting life.
"You might know your Brontes and your Austens but you need to know a lot more than that so having the background is essential."
Mr Allsop, whose favourite writer is the African explorer Sir Richard Burton, trained in London's Carey Street for six years before moving to Smith Street to open his first shop - the only one of its kind in Warwick at the time - in 1966.
He was 29 and felt the opening of Warwick University would prove beneficial, which it did.
He used to take coach loads of books over there before the university established its own library.
The building in which his shop, D and V Allsop, now stands dates back to 1480.
It has also been home to the couple for the past nine years.
They moved there from another site in road, where they lived when greengrocers, butchers and pubs in Smith Street were plentiful.
He said: "A lot has changed in my time here and in my view that is down to supermarkets and this beast - the internet and mobile phones make a heck of a difference.
"Whether that's a good thing is open to question.
"But Smith Street has been good to us. It is a nice life in this trade - and sometimes profitable."
