A businesswoman and quiet campaigner has closed her Maryport shop after 25 years.

The Lily Basket on Senhouse Street was not merely a florist shop but also a tribute to a woman who became a business success in her 40s after leaving school at 15 because she was considered “dim.”

Jill Skinner's life changed when she was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Knowing she had a condition rather than just being stupid, she learned to work around it.

She went back to college in her 40s and passed the courses that enabled her to run the shop successfully – and won an outstanding achievement certificate.

Jill also involved herself in the business community. She was a member of the Love Maryport group, set up to promote the town.

She was one of the business people concerned that they were paying to come to work because of exorbitant costs and limited parking in the town.

With the backing of the Maryport Town Council, plans for parking meters were scrapped and free parking introduced in Mill Street car park next to the town centre.

She had a decorative flair that won or placed her in various shop window competitions.

Keen to heighten awareness of dyslexia, Jill said it was when she heard actress Susan Hampshire speaking about her dyslexia that it all fell into place.

Speaking this week she said she had no  problems with talking about her reitrement, "but please mention the dyslexia."

That is because she wants to get the message out to others to prevent them being labelled.

The florist industry is being hit by the economy and competition from supermarkets which are cheaper and more convenient. But Jill said when it came to weddings, funerals and Valentine's Day people still chose the florist first.

She said the Senhouse Street shop is now empty "and I don't know what plans there are for its future."