DEPARTMENT store John Lewis has chosen a Barnsley-born jewellery designer to design limited edition pieces for the launch of a new £35million store in Birmingham.

James Newman was approached by John Lewis to design the exclusive range.

He studied at Barnsley Art College along with his partner and business co-founder Claire Leadbeater.

James now heads his own team of talented jewellers, which also include Claire's brother and head goldsmith Robert Leadbeater, all from Barnsley but now living in Birmingham running the James Newman Jewellery shop on Vyse Street in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

• Full story in the Barnsley Chronicle issue dated September 25, 2015.