A VICTORIAN celebration will commemorate more than 150 years of successful business for a famous Cumbrian shop.

The family run Grasmere Gingerbread Shop will host its Victorian Fayre to mark the special 160th anniversary on Saturday (November 22).

It is exactly 160 years since cook Sarah Nelson invented Grasmere Gingerbread in her Church Cottage home, tucked away in the idyllic and world famous Lake District village of Grasmere - once home to poet William Wordsworth.

Having moved into Gate Cottage in 1850, Sarah Nelson was encouraged by Lady Farquhar's French chef to make Gingerbread.

It is said as the Victorian tourists passed by, they would see Sarah dressed in her white apron and shawl selling her delicious wares of Helvellyn cakes, aerated water and Gingerbread in her cobbled yard.

Unlike anything else, the famous sweet treat has endured timeless success and has become one of Cumbria’s best-known foodstuffs, enjoying a worldwide reputation which is recognised by tourists and leading celebrity chefs alike.

“It is an incredible milestone for a unique Victorian invention so we decided to mark the occasion in an appropriate 19th century way,” said Joanne Hunter, a third-generation partner in the business.

The Victorian Fayre is being held inside the Wordsworth Hotel next to the shop on Saturday between 11am and 4pm with an array of stalls selling unusual gifts.

Also on the menu will be entertainment including storytelling from Grasmere-based renowned Taffy Thomas around a log fire, carriage rides around the village and traditional Lakeland afternoon teas courtesy of the hotel.

Joanne’s husband and fellow partner and baker Andrew Hunter also created three giant number figures – 1 - 6 - 0 – in Grasmere Gingerbread to mark the anniversary.

“The zero just started to break into two pieces when we were having the photograph taken as it was fresh out of the oven and still warm and soft,” he said.

And though the pair benefit from a constant stream of locals and tourists, they hope to welcome new customers too at the free event to try out their unique gingerbread with a secret recipe.