Take a trip down memory lane and visit the Dales Toffee Shop in Grassington - a traditional sweet shop where you can still buy a weighed out bag of pear drops or midget gems.

The Hirst family took over the Toffee Shop in 1984 from a good friend of theirs who made all the fudge, toffee and boiled Yorkshire sweets in his small factory.

Dales Toffee Shop, www.dalestoffeeshop.co.uk

They still sell his produce and believe it is very important to try and keep some of the old traditions, ie breaking up toffee in the scale with a toffee hammer, weighing the sweets from the many jars on the shelves as the customer orders (not like todays fad pick & mix).

All of their confectionary gift boxes are made on the premises, as is their Grassington Shortbread. The preserves and biscuits that adorn the shelves are also made locally for them.

The award winning ice cream (Brymor) is made in the Dales at High Jervaulx Farm near Masham using their Guernsey herd. Ten flavours are available in cones and many more available in take home packs to be enjoyed anytime in the comfort of your own home, or if you are visiting the area, caravan, holiday cottage or tent!

In 1988 the Hirsts took over the newsagents next door when the occupier retired. At this point another family member joined them to help run the business. It carries all the usual newsagency products plus a large range of greetings cards (quality cards at reasonable prices when compared to town shops).

Both shops offer quality, value and good service and if you are up in the Dales and around Grassington, is well worth a visit for a bag of Yorkshire mixture!

Visit their new web site at www.dalestoffeeshop.co.uk