Lintel for storage hole

Hi. I have an old 400mm stone wall (chalk/flint/granite mix) in my kitchen - originally an external gable wall, now inside a 2-storey extension. Wall is 3m+ wide and has a tall hearth roughly in the middle topped with a 6x6in Hardwood lintel.

I want to make a hole in the wall to the left of the hearth, at worktop height, 50x35 cm and about 30cm deep.

What should I use for support? I was thinking to use 50x75mm or similar concrete cut to length to support the full depth, with another timber section at the front. How much bearing overhang do I need? and what's the closest I should go to the hearth? (The existing timber lintel has a 25/28 cm bearing either side of a 1m opening)

Thanks, Rudy.

Have I done something wrong? It's a bit quiet out here in Coventry

Any help at all will be much appreciated. I could post a couple of pics if it helps?

rudeboy said:

Any help at all will be much appreciated. I could post a couple of pics if it helps?

Click to expand...

It may help yes.

it needn't even be a picture of the wall.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n228/JohnD_UK/NakedWife.jpg

Well it had to be worth a look
I'll see if I can get SWMBO to pose..

Got it sorted with a bit of common sense. I found some in a charity shop