THE owners of a framing shop have praised a town's community for supporting them in their first year of business.

Terry and Fay Powley took over an empty property in Market Street, Dalton, in September last year and transformed it into a gallery and gift shop for local arts and crafts.

The pair had no business experience prior to this venture which saw them move into a former sweet shop.

However, the couple have enjoyed getting to know their customers in Dalton and are grateful for the support they have received.

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Mrs Powley, 53, said: "It has been challenging but the people of Dalton have been really supportive. We're hoping that this is just the start and we would love to stay here because we love this little shop.

"People said that we should have tried to set up in Ulverston but we wanted to support the economy in Dalton. Being between Ulverston and Barrow gets us a lot of support from the surrounding villages and gives customers an option if they don't want to travel."

Although the store specialises in framing, it also sells gift cards and a range of trinkets ideal for birthday presents or treats for the home.

Mr Powley, 50, spent 30 years of his life working in the RAF, which meant that the couple moved all over the world and most recently lived in Cyprus before moving back to Cumbria so that he could take up a job at Sellafield.

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He added: "The framing business has had its ups and downs but in recent months it has picked up a lot.

"I would like to maybe one day get a bigger shop with more space to display more products but, at the moment, we are more than happy where we are in Dalton."