But over the decades, the ships that transported wood around the world left the Tyne for good, and many of the town's 13 saw- mills closed due to lack of demand.

For the last 20 years, the 77-year-old has run The Sharpening Centre, also known as The Saw Shop, in Rekendyke Lane, Tyne Dock, South Shields.

But as he plans to call it a day, he's left wondering what happened to such a busy industrial town – and who will be able to take over the helm at his shop.

He said: "Tyne Dock was perhaps one of biggest timber areas in the British Isles, with ships coming from all ports of the globe. The river traffic was, at times, relentless.

"To lose all this through closures and lack of forward thinking is beyond my comprehension."

In 1946, Mr Ware left Harton Grammar School and started work at Henry Wilson and Company in Tyne Dock, where he was soon asked if he wanted to serve his time as a woodcutting machinist.

He said: "I found the work interesting, and a challenge which I readily accepted.

"I was asked to go to Rochdale and work on a new machine – a Robinson XPT/fast cut – which could cut at 240ft per minute."

While he was there, the father-of-three met Arthur Symonds, a leading figure on tooling technology, who would prove inspirational to him.

He said: "I admired Arthur tremendously. It followed that I took greater attention to the tooling needs as a consequence of meeting him."

During the 1950s, some of the biggest changes in the timber industry's history were happening.

The majority of firms were moving from belt-driven machines with fixed and loose pulleys to individual motorised spindles, which increased production tenfold.

But shortly after his 18th birthday, Mr Ware was conscripted to train with the 12th Lancers, a regiment of the Cavalry Corps, based near Barnard Castle.

His wages were £1 8s – £1.40 in today's money – the same he received as a temporary errand boy for The Red Stamp Stores, a provision shop at The Nook, in Harton.

From this wage, seven shillings – 35p – was sent home to his mother, and Mr Ware was left to live on 15p per day.

Football was his other main passion during his working life.

He said: "I was offered the chance to play for Huddersfield Town, which was a first division club then, but through either naivety or shyness, I declined."

After serving two years, and on completion of his National Service in North Africa, the grandfather-of-six went back to work for the same company.

"There were even more changes taking place by this time," he said. "There were side-loading forklifts and automatic lifting gear.

"There were also great improvements in the extract plant, which removed all the sawdust from the work place.

"The productivity was outstanding – machines which used to do 4,000ft of tongue and groove flooring per day increased to 40,000ft per day."

New materials were also being introduced during the 1950s and 1960s.

Laminates and plastics of every kind were now being used for shop-fitting and home requisites.

Mr Ware went on to gain more academic qualifications, and worked for numerous companies, including Formica, before settling for 18 years with local firm Be Modern.

In 1988, he thought it was time to branch out, and as a result The Sharpening Centre was created.

Over the last 20 years, Mr Ware has sharpened thousands of items, and even made his own tools and equipment.

He joked: "If it's got a blade, I can sharpen it – sometimes I even sharpen wit."

Some of the more unusual items Mr Ware has turned his attentions to include an implement used to cut the throats of animals so Halal meat can be produced, and a special set of hooked knives used to free inmates at Durham Prison who have tried to hang themselves.

"You have to move with the times," he said. "I've created tools you could only imagine, and certainly defied the norm.

"In the future, I believe everything will be done by machines, and there will be very little need for people to create tools any
more."

As he spends his final days in his shop, Mr Ware is keen to find someone to take over his business.

He said: "All my offspring are involved with different ventures.

"I am hoping someone with the right ability and attitude will take over the business as it is, otherwise there will be no more businesses like mine left within the borough.

"The nearest sharpening company south of the Tyne is over in Durham."

Mr Ware hopes to spend more time with his wife of 53 years, Nancy, and finally relax.

He added: "I would like to express my gratitude to all my customers and friends for their company and support over the years.

"I hope the standard requirements were met, and satisfaction was given. I'll hopefully see everyone around the town in my leisure time."

n If you're interested in taking over the business, contact Mr Ware on 455 0654.