Sentient Heart is a new business in Monmouth aimed at those into spirituality and metaphysics.

The shop is the brainchild of Lawrence Symes, a local lad who has returned to the Monmouth area after spending a number of years in New York.

Lawrence said: "I moved back to Monmouth about two years ago and didn't know what to do with myself. I have been into spirituality and metaphysics for about 10 years and I was quite focused on that, so I decided to open up this shop. "Monmouth is definitely turning into the place to be for all kinds of spiritual paths. My shop is serving as an anchorpoint for those people."

Sentient Heart, which is based in The Oldway Centre, off Monnow Street, in the town centre, opened for business in December and Lawrence said it has proved to be extremely popular.

Customers can come in and browse the selection of books, CDs, crystals, tarot, gifts, candles and aura sprays and enjoy the relaxing and unintimidating atmosphere. There are leather sofas where they can relax and atmospheric music.

The plan is to open up the upstairs of the premises in the future to provide a place for meetings and lectures on a number of spiritual paths.