A LAKE District hobby shop has sparked outrage for selling what one woman has described as ‘offensive’ and ‘racist’ dolls.

Shoppers in Hawkshead can find Golly dolls for sale at the village’s Main Street Arts and Crafts shop.

Brigitte Herrod said she was so shocked to see the dolls displayed at the shop that she went inside to confront the owner.

“They are a symbol of racism,” she said. “They’re a very strong symbol and they’re an ugly caricature of a black person originating from an era when there was no equality. I still think equality is lacking, which is why I think anything that depicts inequality should be stamped out.”

Mrs Herrod, 52, originally from Cockermouth, said shops should not be allowed to stock the dolls and was aghast that the owner thought they were inoffensive.

“To be quite honest it’s insulting,” she said. “I just think in this day and age these are not a quaint throwback, they’re indicative of racism still being around.

“The reason they exist goes back to when black and white people weren’t treated equally. We should do everything to ensure equality and I’m disgusted a shop could still sell them.

“The owner said the country was just too politically correct and it was fine because he calls them Gollies. Changing the name doesn’t change the meaning.”

Golly dolls go back to the ‘Golliwog’ character created by Florence Kate Upton that appeared in children’s books in the late 19th century and also featured in some Enid Blyton books.

The Westmorland Gazette attempted to contact Steven Howard, the owner of Main Street Arts and Crafts, but he was unavailable for comment.

A member of staff however, was surprised to learn the dolls had caused offence and insisted they were not racist.

“I can’t see anything wrong with them,” she said. “We just like them as a toy. Lots of people enjoy them – it takes them back to their childhood.

“If people think we’re racist because they’re selling, then it’s just them taking offence for no reason. I’ve had black people buying them because they like them.

“The golly has always been a loving item that children played with. Many people say it’s a shame more places don’t sell them now.”

Michael Woodhouse, chairman of Hawkshead Parish Council, said it had come as a shock to learn the dolls were being sold in the village.

“It’s something we need to look at,” he said. “If it’s not illegal then the shop owner isn’t doing anything wrong so it’s a difficult one, but it is sad and surprises me that people are selling them in Hawkshead.”

Aftab Khan, a development officer with AWAZ Cumbria, a support organisation that aims to provide a voice for Black and Minority Ethnic people, said: “Some people may find Golly dolls displayed offensive.

“If people feel they have found the display of any objects, signs or symbols associated with reinforcing racism, hostility and prejudice against minority groups they should be reported as a hate crime to police so that appropriate actions are taken.”