Dorothy Bell, a former Kendal shop owner who was born in Yorkshire, has died aged 95.

She was born in Leeds in 1910 before the family moved to Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, when she was a toddler.

After being educated at a local school, she later attended secretarial college where she added shorthand to her expanding range of skills.

A gifted pianist and singer, Mrs Bell was also a keen actress belonging to both the local operatic and amateur dramatic societies.

She met her husband, Frank Bell, while working at John Heywood retailers in Manchester and they married in 1938.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Mr Bell planned to join the Royal Navy. However, his previous experience as an auxiliary fireman enabled him to become a full time fireman in Liverpool. That year the couple bought a newsagent shop and moved in before having their first child, Enid, in 1943.

The couple then worked as youth leaders at Anfield Boys Club, taking young members on trips to Holland, Germany and France to play football and smooth post-war international relations.

Following a long search for a business in the South Lakeland area, the couple bought two plots of land in Kendal in 1955 and ran the newsagents on Sandylands for more a decade.

A keen sports enthusiast, Mrs Bell was a member of the local Victoria Bowling Club during this period and also enjoyed playing billiards with her friends.

In 1989, the couple moved to Kirkby Lonsdale to live with stepdaughter Margaret Bell. Unfortunately Mr Bell died just six months later.

"She was a gentle lady and an excellent crafts lady. She loved her children and her grandchildren and she used to make all sorts of fancy gifts for them. She loved sport and when she could not play she watched it on television," said Margaret Bell.

She leaves six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.