A family-owned garage in Welwyn is having to leave the yard it has occupied for 22 years.

The Monk family of mechanics, who have run their Autoline business from School Lane since 1992, were told last month by their landlord Mark Quinlan to leave by May 31, when the seven-year lease expires.

Daniel Monk, 31, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “It came as a bit of a shock.

“Everybody we talk to is very disappointed.

“Nearly all our business comes from word of mouth.

“They are more than customers, they are friends.

“It has been my whole life.”

The business was started by his father David Monk, now 63, and employs Daniel, his 27-year-old brother Jason and their mother Alison, who does paperwork and administration.

Although they live in Welwyn Garden City, they have many friends and customers in Welwyn, where Daniel and Jason went to school.

The family is negotiating to move into another yard in Codicote Road, Welwyn, but Daniel said the move would involve considerable trouble and expense, and they would have liked more notice.

Mr Quinlan, who owns the yard through his company AT Jenkins Ltd, responded: “Mr and Mrs Monk knew the term expired on May 31, 2014 at the time they signed the lease in 2007 and knew that it could not be renewed.

“We make no further comment.”