THIS week marks the 20th anniversary since one of the most loved clothing stores disappeared from high streets across the country – C&A.

There wasn't a dry eye in the store when the Bournemouth branch closed its doors for the last time on March 27, 2001.

For the staff, it was an emotional end of an era when the store left the town that had been its home for more than 25 years.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for regular customers that had become friends with the staff. One lady even took in cake and wine on the last day of opening.

Bournemouth Echo: When asked which fashion stores we miss from our high street from back in the day C&A would be up on the list. The name C&A stands for Clements and August, the two Brenninkmeyer brothers from the Netherlands who started the firm and brought it to

The public frantically scoured the half-price bargains in the 2,000 square metre store during the closing day sales, each of them hopeful of snapping up a bargain.

The name C&A stands for Clemens and August, the two Brenninkmeyer brothers from the Netherlands who started the firm and brought it to Britain in 1922.

C&A departed from high streets across the country in March 2001 when the company ceased trading in the UK.