A BOOK shop in Oswestry is preparing to celebrate a huge milestone next month.

Oswestry Christian Bookshop in Lower Brook Street celebrates the 40th anniversary of its opening in September.

The shop, which is one of only a few such shops in the country, is run as a charitable trust and is a resource centre for Bibles, Christian literature, greetings cards, teaching materials for Sunday schools, a big selection of second-hand books and a variety of gifts.

The idea was thought up by members of Carreg Llwyd Church whose members bought what was a derelict three-storey building which dates back to the mid-18th century for £12,000.

The building was renovated by a willing band of volunteers working in the evenings and on Saturdays under the supervision of builder the late Evan Thomas.

It was officially opened on September 29, 1979, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by local MP, the late John Biffen, and was attended by Oswestry Borough and Town Council mayors.

The bookshop was an immediate success and in 2004 was voted runner-up for the title of “Top UK Small Christian Retailer” at the national Christian Booksellers convention.

It was also voted Crown Books Retailer of the Year in 2007.

Trevor Smith, retired editor of the Oswestry Advertizer, was Pastor of Carreg Llwyd Church at the time of the bookshop’s opening.

He said: “Much of the success of the bookshop must go to the tireless work of John Field, a founder elder of the church and a former mayor of Oswestry Town Council, who passed away last year.

“He and his late wife Sheila always had a keen interest in Christian literature, running a regular bookstall in the town’s indoor market hall each Saturday as well as at other events including the annual Oswestry Show.

“Tribute must also be paid to the loyal band of ‘Friends of the Bookshop’ for their regular financial support and to the volunteers from different churches who staff the shop. Without their support the shop would not have continued to be the ‘spiritual oasis’ it is.”

Don Sanders, the present chairman of the bookshop trustees, was impressed : "It's quite remarkable that such a small independent bookshop has kept going when so many similar outlets have had to give up in the last 10 years.

“The bookshop is not simply a commercial enterprise but a Christian-based ministry which is appreciated by many people and churches in Oswestry.

“The sterling work of volunteers from a number of churches has enabled us to overcome the increasing competition from internet-based outlets.

"Our prayer is that we will continue to serve the people and churches of Oswestry and the surrounding villages for a long time to come. The office of the Christian Schools Worker for Oswestry and District is also based in the bookshop.”

To celebrate the shop’s ruby anniversary people are invited to drop in for a free coffee or tea and a piece of cake on Saturday, September 28.