A BEAUTIFULLY restored doll's house dating back to 1950s is now on proud display in a Tavistock shop window.

Built in 1953 by John Charles Lane for his six-year-old granddaughter Diana Broughton, the doll's house was a proud possession of the family.

But as years went by it eventually was con-signed to the loft, collecting dust.

When Diana moved to Lydford four years ago she knew it was time the doll's house got its 'sparkle' back — and Sarah Renshaw, owner of Pebbles of Tavistock, in Brook Street, agreed to take on the task last year.

The doll's house, which opens up at the side and rear, has a wooden staircase and battery lighting inside.

It also sports a garage to the side with double opening doors.

Diana said: 'I played with it when I was younger and then my niece had it.

'But then it sat in the loft, and when we moved to Lydford it was in a box in the garage.

'I then gave the doll's house to Sarah as I was looking for someone to give it some love and she has done a wonderful job.

'I was quite emotional when I saw it in the shop window — it looks beautiful now.'

Restored by Sarah herself, the doll's house, which is not for sale, has prominence in Pebbles of Tavistock shop window.

Sarah said: 'It took about six weeks to restore and I still have more I want to do — I want to get it back to its former glory.'

Mr Lane was a master carpenter and builder by trade.

He originally made the house with brickwork paper on the outside, green and cream windows, green garage doors and wood stained front door and staircase.

When it was built, it was the subject of a small article in the Southampton Evening Echo newspaper.

The article said that the two-storey doll's house had taken him about a month to construct in his spare time.

When asked the value of the house, he said: 'I would not sell it for under £20.'