ONE of Cumbria's oldest outdoor retailers is planning a year of activities involving hiking, running and climbing to mark its 60th anniversary.

The Climbers Shop, in Ambleside, became the village's first dedicated outdoor equipment shop when it was opened by Frank Davies in 1959.

This year the shop is running a number of competitions and events to give people a chance to take part in the celebrations.

Since 1981 the shop has hosted the log book for the the Long Distance Walkers Association Cumbrian Centurion Challenge, also known as The Trident Way.

People completing the challenge have to walk 100 miles taking in any route they like, as long as it covers the peaks of Scafell, Helvellyn and Skiddaw.

This year people completing the challenge can be in with the chance to win prizes from the Climbers Shop by sharing their journey on social media with the hashtag #climbersshop60CCC.

The shop is also running a special treasure hunt for climbers, hiding nuts - pieces of climbing equipment - at famous climbing routes in the Lake District.

Climbers who find the nuts will be entered into a draw to win a historic Lakeland image signed by legendary climbers who selected the routes.

Finally, in September, the shop is organising a 60km trail run with the Brathay Trust, taking in some of the most scenic areas of the Lake District as part of an Ultra Running Weekend at the shop.

Cathy Casey, who co-owns the shop with two other Directors including her husband Paul, said: "Along with the activities we are working with the Mountain Heritage Trust and Armitt Museum to promote the history of climbing which, as a modern sport, can be argued to have begun in the Lake District in the middle of the 19th Century.

"We have a permanent display of old climbing images in our stairwell as well as old equipment that would have been on sale in the shop in the early days. Our central till area will have a small rolling display of expedition artifacts from key mountaineers and we are planning a very exciting historic window throughout the summer holidays."

The business is also putting together a document detailing the history of the shop featuring stories from outdoor legends including mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington, fell runner Joss Naylor and rock climbing pioneer Joe Brown.