Glass lovers flocked to Stourbridge’s Stuart Crystal shop in its final hours to pick up pieces destined to become future collectors’ items.

The store at the Red House Glass Cone, in Wordsley, closed for the final time at 1.30pm. It brought to an end 60 years of trading from the site, a move branded “tragic” by those who turned out to buy last-minute cut glass items.

Waterford Wedgwood, which took over Stuart Crystal in 1995, went into administration last month. A deal with KPS Capital Partners has now been finalised.

But while the US investors have vowed to rebuild the company and its brands, they have decided not to continue the Stourbridge operation.

Workers believe the store have been busy for the past few days and any glassware with the Stuart or Waterford name had been selling.

Four bowls with a price tag of £1,000 each had been the biggest sellers as they were expected to increase in value.

Final customers at the store included 59-year-old Samuelle Snow, of Harbourne. She had driven from the University of Birmingham, where she works, to pick up a vase as a birthday present for a colleague.

She said: “It is worth the 45-minute drive just for the quality of the items. I am a regular customer and my own wedding glass was from here.”

“It is tragic the shop is closing.”

Malcolm Cannings and his wife Lesley, from Halesowen, said they had gone along to show support to the nine staff who were losing their jobs through the closure.

Mrs Cannings said: “It is disgraceful such a vital part of this area’s history is being allowed to fold.”