A popular Southwold boutique and family business, whose customers have included King George VI, George Orwell and Benjamin Britten, is celebrating 160 years in business.

As the government takes advice from retail expert Mary Portas on how to save the high street, the owner of Denny of Southwold said the store continued to maintain a place at the forefront of fashion.

The popular boutique, which is in the town's Market Place, is celebrating its 160th anniversary.

The ledgers, which date back to 1899, offer a comprehensive historical record of all customers' orders, measurements and clothes they purchased and prices paid.

Among those who popped in were King George VI, who had a pair of hand-tailored grey flannel shorts made within a few hours.

All of the tailors took turns at doing a few stitches each, allowing them to say that they had personally made shorts for the monarch.

Other famous faces included George Orwell, Benjamin Britten, his partner Peter Pears, and artist Sir Alfred Munnings.

Although demand for tailor-made clothes has declined in recent years, the shop stocks a vast array of ladies and gentlemen's casual clothing and a huge selection of accessories.

Lyn Knights, the current owner and a fifth generation relative of the founder, William Denny, said: 'The anniversary is a wonderful milestone.

'We have a dedicated team of staff who provide an incredible service and offer friendly, expert advice if required.

'There is a lot of competition in the town but business is buoyant. We are very well established and customers come from miles around.

'It is a beautiful store and lovely environment in which to shop.

'We source our stock from all over the world and there is a huge selection of unusual clothes that you don't get on the high street.'