A WOMAN who with her family set up a successful South Lakeland ice cream business has died, aged 87.

In 1987 Caroline Manchester Lawson (nee Nutter) helped establish English Lakes Ice Cream which is based at The Old Dairy, Gilthwaiterigg Lane, Kendal. The business supplied ice cream to hotels and restaurants throughout the country.

In 1996, English Lakes Ice Cream was sold and Caroline and her husband Jack, who died in 2006, retired.

Mrs Lawson, of Natland, was born on May 5 1930, and was the only daughter of Alfred and Ada Nutter, of Maryport.

Her first job was at a bread and cake shop in Cockermouth, aged 14, but soon after, she joined her father at the family's painting and decorating shop on Shipping Brow, Maryport.

She married Jack Lawson in 1953, and soon afterwards the couple bought Ognis Café at the top of Senhouse Street in Maryport. Later on, her parents renamed it Solway Café.

Mr and Mrs Lawson then took on Annavatzis Café and ice cream shop at the bottom of Senhouse Street which was later renamed Regal Cafe. During their time there the couple had two sons, Peter and David.

After building up the ice cream manufacture side of the business, they sold it in 1972 and moved to Kendal as a family.

In Kendal they went into partnership with a local dairy products manufacturer. During this time, Mrs Lawson worked at Provincial Insurance in the town and later point of sale marketing in numerous outlets throughout South Lakeland.

After selling English Lakes Ice Cream, the couple did a lot of travelling, visiting different parts of the world.

Mrs Lawson was a keen member of various organisations including Natland Women's Institute, Kendal Wine Club, Maryport Young Conservatives, Maryport Girl Guides, Maryport Golf Club, Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and the Friends of the Edelweiss.

She is survived by her sons Peter and David, grandson Jack, and daughter-in- Laws Sonia and Lynn.