HAWKSHEAD might be one of the Lake District's most popular tourist honeypots thanks to its picture postcard beauty and historical links with William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. The centre of the village is also closed to through traffic which is a bonus for shoppers. But when the visitors have gone home, a thriving community remains, as Gillian Cowburn discovered for the Gazette's latest LOVE LOCAL focus.

It surely says something for Hawkshead that it still boasts a post office, a chemist, and a surgery - not to mention a school.

Certainly as far as the first three are concerned, having so many tourists visit the area can help maintain these essential services.

"There is a benefit," agreed Maria Whitehead, of the multi-award-winning Hawkshead Relish Company.

But when the tourists leave, life goes on.

"I think it sometimes gets forgotten that there is a really thriving local community here," added Mrs Whitehead who, with husband Mark, supports many local organisations such as the playgroup, the football team, and the stage society.

There are, in fact, more than 30 organisations and events connected with the village.

Hawkshead Relish - now in its 10th year - employs 18 full and part time people, all of them local.

"Three members of staff have children and we try to be really flexible. I think in a rural area it is important to try to help these young families so that they can stay here, to live and to work."

Mrs Whitehead said that the company had been offered government grants to move elsewhere.

"But that's not what we are about. It's about making sure the village thrives."

As well as providing an important service for people living in the Hawkshead, Coniston, Ambleside and Langdale area, Collins and Butterworth pharmacy in the heart of the village caters for a huge throughput of visitors.

And serving their needs has a spin-off.

"Tourism is an important factor for us because it means we can keep a much bigger range of stock, and obviously that in turn benefits the locals," explained third generation pharmacist Simon Butterworth.

His grandfather founded the business in Denton, Manchester, but the family moved to Hawkshead in 1986 for a better quality of life. This week Mr Butterworth's son Chris joined the family firm bringing his management and marketing skills to the business.

"As a small family firm we can be much more flexible and can move quicker than bigger companies. We know our customer base well."

Hawkshead Grammar School was founded in 1585 by the Archbishop of York. It is now a beautifully preserved museum, which is open to the public. Its most famous pupil, William Wordsworth attended the school between 1779 and 1787.

From the time of her marriage to local solicitor William Heelis in 1913, until her death in 1943, Beatrix Potter made her home at Hill Top in nearby Sawrey. Many of her characters were based on people she knew in Hawkshead. William’s office (largely unaltered since his day) is in the centre of Hawkshead and was left to the National Trust. There you can see an exhibition of the author's famous artwork.

For a potted history of the village, and to keep up to date with what's happening in Hawkshead, visit the community website at www.hawkshead-village.co.uk