The owners of town centre bookshop were joined by their predecessors this week to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Sir Reginald and Lady Anne Lechmere opened the Malvern Bookshop, on the Priory Steps in February, 1955.

When they retired in 1987, they handed over to Jonathan and Angela Gibbs, who were later joined by Malcolm Manwaring.

They, in turn, were succeeded by Howard and Julie Hudson in 2000.

All got together on Wednesday (January 2), to toast the shop's birthday with a bottle of Champagne.

Lady Lechmere said she still remembered the first book they sold.

"It was to Mrs Norris-Wood, of Malvern Wells, who became a very good customer. It was the Torrington Diaries in four volumes, and she paid £2."

Sir Reginald said: "The first day after we opened, we couldn't get in because of heavy snow. We lived in Suckley at the time."

At first the shop sold new books and supplied 108 schools across Worcestershire.

Over the years, it has expanded into more rooms as its stock widened.

Mr Gibbs, a singer, also expanded the sale of musical scores.

The current owner, Mr Hudson recalls when one of his regular customers, John Proctor, brought him a book of Victorian photographs of Norfolk.

He said: "I thought it would fetch about £40 or £50, so I gave him £20 and told him if made a lot more we'd come to an agreement."

In fact, the pair were in for a pleasant surprise when the book sold for £27,000 at auction.

Mr Hudson said said that actors performing at the nearby Malvern Theatres regularly called into the shop.

"Nicholas Lyndhurst was in last week and Richard Briers and Penelope Keith have both visited," he said. "Simon Callow is one of the most devoted book-buyers and comes in every time he's in town."