CARTMEL Priory has officially opened its new book and gift stall following a £27,000 refurbishment.

The stall was originally set up in 1986 in order to bring in a bit more income for the church - but a lot has changed since the days of just a folding table and a couple of dozen books and tea towels.

The church now boasts a selection of more than 400 cards and 200 books along with high quality gifts, all displayed in new shelves and cabinets.

Money bequeathed from former Cartmel resident, the late Ann Rowbotham, funded the refurbishment in the corner of the church.

Barbara Hewlett, who has been involved with the stall since it first opened, officially opened the new-look stall at a celebratory event on Sunday (January 31).

Canon Robert Bailey said he was ‘very pleased’ with the result.

“It has just grown so we decided to have a better, more professional-looking store,” he said.

Money made from the stall, which is run by volunteers, goes towards covering the church’s overhead expenses.