Business couple leave for city

One of Shropshire's most successful couples are quitting the county for a new life in London.

But Nick Wheeler, who runs Charles Tyrwhitt, Britain's biggest mail order shirt company, and his wife Christian Rucker, founder of The White Company, which sells luxury bed linen, clothing and home accessories, said today they were "incredibly saddened" by their decision to leave.

However, pressures of running two high profile businesses while raising four children were forcing them to sell up and move to London.

They have now put up their home, Dallicote Hall, at Worfield near Bridgnorth, up for sale - with a £3.5 million price tag.

Nick, who was born and raised in Shropshire and whose parents still live in Ludlow, said it will be a wrench to leave.

"It will be incredibly sad and, in truth, we are not looking forward to the day when we have to say goodbye," he said. "Our four children have been brought up at Dallicote and, like them, it is part of the family.

"But in some respects it is because of them we have to leave. I want to be able to come home and see them each night instead of spending large chunks of the week in London and then sprinting back up to Shropshire.

"We should perhaps have made this decision sooner, but Shropshire is such a special place for us all."

And Nick said the pull of the county was so strong he expected to move back in the future.

"Living in Shropshire has been a complete joy and, while this has been a difficult decision, I doubt we will be able to stay away for long," he said.

Their departure means one of Shropshire's premier properties, once owned by Alton Towers supremo John Broome, is now available.

The property is believed to date from the reign of George II.

It is thought Queen Mary stayed there on a number of occasions while travelling between London and Ireland.

It has 11 bedrooms and stands in about 32 acres of grounds, which include a swimming pool and tennis court.

Mark Wiggin, of estate agents Lane Fox, which is handling the sale, said today: "It is one of the finest homes in Shropshire.

"It's very good looking with a wonderful range of rooms, great views and all the toys.

"I am expecting interest from all over the country," he added.

By Henry Carpenter