A popular Workington sandwich shop will close next month.

Grahams, on Oxford Street, has served up a range of hot and cold food and drinks for more than 25 years but will close its doors for the final time on December 23.

Owners Elaine Gunning, 64, and Helen Graham, 58, started working in the shop when it was run by Reays and stayed on when it was Bells of Lazonby before taking over the shop 11 years ago.

Elaine is retiring next month and, although the pair admit they don't know what they will do without the shop, they look back on their time there fondly.

Elaine said: "We were here when the college was open and a lot of the young lads we saw come here through their college days come in now with their families.

"We enjoy the shop and if it wasn't that I was getting old we'd still keep going.

"This was our secret in the town. When we took over we said everything would be fresh, every day, and that's what it has been."

Helen added: "It helps that Elaine's a brilliant cook.

"It'll be nice to spend more time with my husband and if I'm bored I will work again but maybe I'll like being at home.

"I don't think we realised we would last this long. We both started within a week of each other all those years ago and didn't know each other and we've become really good friends so we'll be going out to celebrate when we finish."