Award-winning Sussex cookshop Steamer Trading is expanding with the opening of a branch in Battle.

The company, named Cookshop of the Year in the 2000 Excellence in Housewares competition, is taking over one of the most historic shops in Battle High Street.

The premises previously housed the 170-year-old, family-run Thorpe's shoe shop, the second oldest continuously-run boot makers in the country.

The expansion means Steamer Trading, with branches in Alfriston, Lewes, Eastbourne and Brighton, now covers East Sussex.

The Battle branch, which has created six new jobs in the town, opens on Saturday.

It is the latest chapter in a 17-year success story and fulfils a dream for Dennis and Wendy Campbell, who ran Thorpe's shoe shop. For many years, the couple were regular customers at Steamer Trading's original branch in Alfriston and they always hoped to see a branch in Battle.

Steamer Trading managing director Ben Phillips said: "Unbeknown to them, we had already decided to open in Battle and started to look for suitable premises.

"In the meantime, the Thorpes wrote to us and asked if we would be interested in taking over their shop when they retired. It was too good an opportunity to miss.

"The Thorpes will now have a branch on their doorstep, quite literally, as they will continue to live next to the new shop."

Part of the Steamer Trading policy had been to source unusual and interesting buildings for its shops.

The first shop was opened by Ben's parents, David and Liz, in a former 15th Century inn, The Steamer, in Alfriston High Street, which is in complete contrast to the Brighton store, which opened this year. There, a modern interior designed by Habitat founder Terence Conran covers four floors of a converted church hall.

Mr Phillips said: "We were delighted to be offered the premises in Battle as it is a wonderful building in a fantastic, buzzing town.

"It provides an excellent showcase for our products and the shop has a fascinating history. When we applied to BT to change the name on the telephone number, we were told the line had been in continuous use since 1921 and was the 38th number to be allocated in Battle.

"It is also the second oldest shoe shop in the country and, in keeping with all this history, our new shop will be kept in the traditional style."