A SHOPKEEPER is retiring after nearly 50 years helping women in the South Lakes to find their own individual style.

Pauline Graham became so well known for her eclectic range of clothing that she earned the nick-name of ‘Casual Pauline’.

The 74-year-old spent 48 years collecting new and nearly new dresses, suits, skirts, bags, hats and shoes at her Pauline’s Casuals store in Kendal.

“It’s not all been smooth, but I have loved my job,” she said. “I still love it and I’ll be sorry to retire and see the doors close”

Mrs Graham opened her store, in the town centre, decades before TV celeb-rities Trinny and Susannah became famous for offering style advice.

She said her own approach to women’s fashion was ‘very different’.

“I think TV stylists are a bit pushy. I used to advise shoppers on garments that suited them best because I wanted to see them step out of my store with something that really pleased them,” she said.

“A lot of my customers are good friends - I even get brought chocolates and flowers.”

Mrs Graham opened her shop after moving to Kendal with her boyfriend Barry Graham, whom she later married.

She started out sourcing stock from warehouses in Manchester and Leeds but soon realised there was a market for nearly new clothing from Kendal and the surrounding towns.

“I was determined to make my business a success. My husband had his driving school and I wanted some-thing of my own too.

“Now everyone keeps asking where they will go when I’ve closed down.”

Mrs Graham plans to stay in Kendal with her Scottie dog Scooby after closing the shop next month.