A West Cumbrian photographer has turned a snapshot of time into a treasured memory for Seaton residents and managed to raise money for charity too.

Louise Brogdon, 36, from Lowca Lane, Seaton, specialised in taking children and family doorstep portraits during the lockdown months, when she had to temporarily close her business Little Blessings Photography.

She snapped life around the village on her daily walks documenting life as it happened during lockdown, including doorstep portraits, families dressing up to mark VE day and birthday celebrations.

No charge was taken, with Louise saying she would turn the photos into a book of photographs to remember this historic time. More than 500 photographs were taken and the majority have been put into her book ‘Seaton Doorstep Portraits.’

270 copies of the book had sold out within five days.

Louise said: “When I started taking portraits I just wanted to raise spirits and document what was going on. People kept telling me they wanted to donate somewhere, so I said when we’re finished I will do a book, with profits going to charity.”

Money from the book, plus raffles that Louise has held, is expected to raise around £1,500 for Women Out West at Kells, Whitehaven.

She added: “They cover so many issues, any struggles, anxiety, depression, grieving. They provide a safe place to go to build women up and there are courses too.”

Women Out West's Rachel Holiday said: “From all staff, supporters and mostly our ladies that we are fortunate to support, from across Allerdale and Copeland, we are so very grateful that we have been offered such an amazing gesture, thank you Louise and your team for all your hard work, dedication and your on-going support of the community.

"The comradery and support from across our region, during such uncertainty, is breath-taking and we look forward to developing our provision with the community and recovery in the forefront of our minds.

"This donation will go a long way in supporting our ladies to enrich and develop positive ways forward."