A new dawn has broken for one of the Lune Valley's longest running community assets, and of the family that are now running with the baton.

Kirkby Lonsdale Newspapers, of Main Street, Kirby Lonsdale, has been taken over by Jonathan Hailey and his partner Holly, renaming it so after 22 years under the previous owners Dave and Helen as HT News.

Jonathan had spent some time learning the ropes under Dave and Helen before formally taking over ownership on Saturday 8 January.

He had previously been in hospitality, and explained that while the working hours may be drastically different, the job isn't a total departure:

"I have always been in customer facing roles, brought up in a pub, Landlord of the Red Lion, Sedbergh for 8 years and a chef for 30 years, including a spell as an Executive Chef at Sedbergh School and most recently Head Chef at Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School."

"I'd wanted to quit the catering industry for a while, and my brother approached me and asked me if I fancied owning a newsagent."

The newsagent is the only dedicated one of its kind in the Kirkby Lonsdale area, delivering newspapers and groceries to a 5-mile radius of the town

"We open at 6am but I'm usually here by about 4.30am, which is about the time I used to get home from work", quipped Jonathan.

The running of the business will be a family affair, as Holly will be joining Jonathan, as will their 9-year-old son Jack, when he's not attending Sedbergh Prep School or playing for Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club.

The family, who live in Sedbergh, said: "We are thrilled to be given this wonderful opportunity to support Kirkby Lonsdale residents and the surrounding communities.

"A special thanks must go to John Short and the Christopher Robins Charitable Trust for making this possible.

"I am looking forward to working with them as we begin refurbishing the shop and exploring new services we can provide.

"We look forward to meeting many of you over the next few months and should you have any ideas of what you would like to see in-store please come and say hello and share your thoughts.

"A warm welcome awaits at Kirkby Lonsdale Newspapers."