A BOOK created by a university student on one of Britain's oldest hardware stores received support from Ronnie Corbett before his death.

James Addison, a graphic design graduate from the Arts University Bournemouth, has created a book entitled Have You Got Four Candles? which goes behind the scenes of W.E. Boone and Co based in Poole high street.

James said: "I wrote to Ronnie Corbett in 2014 and rather cheekily asked for a quote for the back of the book. I didn’t hear anything for months, and then an envelope came back, without a letter, just the book with ‘Four candles? Have you no fork ‘andles?’ on every page.”

Ronnie Corbett CBE, who is best known for his appearances alongside Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies in the 1970s and 80s, which featured a well-known sketch in a hardware store entitled Four Candles.

He died in March this year just over a decade after his comedy partner, Ronnie Barker, died in 2005.

The book was printed in a limited run of 100 copies, which have sold out, published by Arts University Bournemouth’s OPOA Press, as part of its dedication to giving advice and support to the next generation of creatives while recognising alumni talent.

It focuses on 195 years of heritage including scandal, fire and the effect of two world wars on the shop, with photographs provided by commercial photography graduate, Rose Duffy.

James said: "My grandfather was such a lover of local history. I got that bug from him, always searching out stories wherever I am and I have dedicated the book to him. I’m so grateful to AUB for allowing my project to become a reality.

"What I loved about the shop was the facade with the Edwardian hand-painted type and the whole Harry Potter feel, with old tatty drawers lining the walls. You can still go in and buy one screw. It’s like stepping back in time.

"I took it upon myself to document the shop. Places like this are dying out and it felt like my duty to keep this on record for generations. I loved loitering in the shop and listening to bizarre requests from the customers. It really is another world."

For more information and to register an interest in purchasing the book, go to Haveyougotfourcandles.com.