A TAUNTON bike company is celebrating its 30th year of business.

GV Bikes, in Whitehall, off Station Road, opened in 1987 after Geoff Hodges and Gordon Harris went into business together.

In 2004, the pair went their separate ways, and Mr Hodges became the sole owner of GV bikes.

And he and his staff are now celebrating 30 years of selling bikes.

He said: “I’ve spent a lifetime riding and repairing motorcycles; I first got a bike when I was 11.

“I’ve ridden bikes around most of Europe, southern India, and Australia. In 1979, I took part in my first Speed Hill Climbing event, and went on to win the National 250 class in 1988.

“It has become a bit of a family affair. I met my partner, Becky, after her bike broke down, now my three sons have taken to racing. My middle son, Tommy, is the present overall National Hill Climb champion.”

On May 29, to commemorate the milestone, the team threw an event to thank their customers at the GV shop.

The Speed Hill Climbing race team bikes were on show and the showroom and workshop was open.

Mr Hodges added: “The past decade has seen many bike shops close in Taunton but, with the help of chief technician Antony Snell, we have made it through the ups and downs. We’d like to thank our customers, many of whom are friends, for their loyalty over the past 30 years.”