The popular international summer market enjoyed a busy opening day on Thursday with people travelling from across Cumbria to sample fantastic food and drink in Carlisle city centre. 

Organised by Market Place Europe, stalls will be present in the centre of Carlisle until bank holiday Monday, and visitors have a wide variety of food stalls, bars, and independent shops to buy from. 

Sunshine and warm weather ensured a busy opening day with passersby enticed by the aromas offered up by those selling Jamaican jerk chicken, gorgeous Greek gyros, and Mediterranean shawarma. 

News and Star: The Mediterranean food stall offered a beautiful range of delicaciesThe Mediterranean food stall offered a beautiful range of delicacies (Image: NQ Staff)

Those operating the Mediterranean food stall in particular were grateful for a busy opening day. 

They said: "It’s going well. It’s a nice bright day. Of course, it’s great for the city. It brings a lot of tourists and a lot of people, so we are happy to see a lot of people here today.

"We recommend trying our Mediterranean food. It’s fresh, it’s nice and it’s different. On the dessert side, we have baklava and Turkish delight. We have fresh olives as well as lamb shawarma, chicken shawarma and a falafel wrap."

The award-winning market, which is being supported by Cumberland Council, is also home to some beautiful plants, with one green-fingered visitor claiming that he had come solely to appreciate the vegetation on offer and that it was 'the best selection' he had ever seen.

News and Star: The plants and flowers certainly helped to brighten up the city centreThe plants and flowers certainly helped to brighten up the city centre (Image: NQ Staff)

Visitors to the market were also keen to see more events such as this throughout the year. 

One man said: "It’s great. The city should do it more often. When it’s here, we always come most days. It’s a cracking atmosphere with good food and good drink."

Another added: "I think there’s a great selection of interesting food, I’ve just been saying to my wife that I would happily try anything. We can’t make our mind up. It’s great, it’s lively and there are lots of people around. We’ve been here in previous years, we’ve come from Maryport. There’s just a wonderful variety."

The market will run from 9-6 on Friday and Saturday, and from 10-5 on Sunday and bank holiday Monday.