A SOUTH Lakeland outfitters which has dressed everyone from locals to A-list celebrities is to shut after 126 years.

Trenouth of Grange, in Grange-over-Sands, will close its doors for good some time in the New Year when owners Patricia and Christopher Brown retire after 30 years.

"We've just enjoyed our lives in this shop and the people have been wonderful," said Mr Brown.

"We feel privileged to have had such a good life here, and it is with some sadness that we come to the end of this chapter in our lives."

The couple took over the Main Street clothing business in 1984 and have been providing the latest fashions to the people of Grange ever since.

Mr Brown said it has been a pleasure running the business and highlights have include selling several items to Sir Ian McKellan around 15 years ago.

"It was when Lord of the Rings was on at the cinemas," he explained.

"He came in and we were chatting and my young son, who was about eight, was talking to him.

"The highlight of the day was Sir Ian McKellan taking on his Gandalf persona and talking like that to my son!"

The business was established in 1888 as a gentleman's outfitters and tobacconist - the same year Jack the Ripper was terrorising the streets of London.

In 1927 the business was bought by the Trenouth family, run first by Edward (Teddy) Trenouth and then by his nephew, John (Jack) Trenouth.

Jack retired at the age of 67 and the business was taken over by the Brown family.

In 1994 they made the decision to discontinue the tobacconist side of the business, while introducing a new womenswear department.

The pair were also busy raising their three sons in the town and plan to use their retirement to explore more of the Lake District now their boys have flown the nest.

"This sadness is outweighed by a feeling of excitement for what the future may bring," said Mrs Brown.

The pair now plan to sell off their stock, at much-reduced prices, and say they will retire officially once everything has gone.

She added: "May we wish the very best to all the shops, hotels and businesses in Grange that help make the town such a special place."