A Cumbrian estate agency celebrated its first birthday with a Monopoly-themed party.

Over 100 guests at the Ashdown Jones bash, including local MP Tim Farron, had the chance to play on an oversized outdoor board, which had been specially designed to reflect the Lake District.

Traditional properties such as Mayfair were replaced by the likes of Low Wood Bay Hotel, and instead of fines, players were treated to a gift from the business whose property they landed on.

Ashdown Jones, based in Windermere, specialise in luxury Lake District properties and were founded by Samantha Ashdown and her son-in-law and Phil Jones. The pair now employ four staff.

Mrs Ashdown said: ‘We’ve worked extremely hard in our first year, but our success is not just thanks to that. We wanted to celebrate and give credit to the people, clients and businesses that make the Lake District the wonderfully encouraging place it is to start a business.

“The business community here is thriving and much of that is thanks to its open approach to supporting each other. As a young business, we thought it was important to forge even deeper links with local businesses and the quirky celebration helped us achieve it.”

The bespoke Monopoly board was created by events experts Flock. Prizes ranged from Lake District Pounds to overnight stays, boat trips or candles.

“Everyone who rolled was a winner,” said Mrs Ashdown. “The idea was different, interactive and got people talking and was a great reflection of what we were trying to achieve.”