READERS of The Westmorland Gazette are being asked to dig deep into their memories - and perhaps even search their attics - to help develop a centre devoted to Kendal's proud shoe-making heritage, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

Plans are well advanced for a 5,000 sq feet heritage centre that will take pride of place at the redeveloped K Village.

Audrey Salkeld, the expert who is working on the project, and Jonathan Somervell, a member of the family which founded K Shoes, are hoping that former employees, their friends and family members will now do their best to help.

They would like people to assist by filling in gaps in information, thereby making the heritage centre as informative and entertaining as possible. Anyone with items which could be donated or lent to the centre is also being asked to come forward.

John Drummond, of Kendal Riverside Ltd, which is redeveloping K Village, added that if people did lend or donate items, they would be cared for, and displayed in a way which acknowledged their origins.

This week (February 16 issue) the Westmorland Gazette has begun a series of K Shoes heritage articles, starting with a photograph from the 1930s of a K Shoes outing to the Isle of Man. Turn to P11 and see if you can identify the smiling faces aboard the charabanc.