AMBLESIDE'S newest business is causing quite a stir in the village.

The Copper Pot, a cozy coffee house and eatery in the heart of the Lakes, has barely been open for a month, but already locals and tourists are coming in their droves.

A real family affair, the Church Street store was painstakingly designed and refurbished by Anna Morton, her sisters, Holly and Lisa, father, David Morton, and fiancee, Matt Durschmidt.

But the Copper Pot's initial success, which has seen a wave of positive online reviews, even caught Anna by surprise.

She said: "It's crazy. We haven't even really done any marketing yet. We spent a long time renovating the place and it's fantastic, we've had amazing feedback. It took three months and we did all the work ourselves."

However, Anna is not letting her family take all the credit, she is also keen to praise the local community, who have rallied around them and offered support.

"It has been a massive team effort," she said.

"We have got a lot of friends around here and it is so nice being back in Ambleside and to feel that real village support."

Local ingredients are at the heart of The Copper Pot's ethos, as shown by their choice of coffee supplier.

Anna said: "Coffee is really important to us. We went with a local guy from Staveley, Mr Duffin's, and already people have come into the cafe and said we have the best coffee in Ambleside, which is great.

"We're in the process of getting a license as well so we can get some local ales in too."

The food menu also includes items such as local artisan sourdough bread, homemade piccalilli and Cumberland sausage.

The Morton family have a long history of running successful eateries and drinking holes in the Lakes.

Anna's grandfather, Dave Morton, ran the Kirkstone Pass Inn 50 years ago, and latterly the White Lion Hotel in Ambleside.

Her father, David, owned the Sun Inn in Hawkshead, so it was a natural progression for Anna to get a place of her own one day.

The Copper Pot is open from 9am to 5.30pm Wednesday to Saturday, and from 9am to 5pm on Sundays.

For more information, visit: www.copper-pot.co.uk