A POPULAR event in the Lake District has been postponed this weekend, following forecasted 50mph winds and bad weather.

The postponement of the Lakeland Festival of Light event, up Catbells on April 6, comes at a time in which a yellow weather warning has been placed across Cumbria due to Storm Kathleen. 

The festival, a major fundraising event for local charities, has faced the difficult decision in order to protect public safety.

Since 2015, the event has raised over £77,500 for various charities.

In a post on social media, organiser, Matt Le Voi, said: "It is of course exceptionally gutting to announce that we will not be running the festival this coming weekend.

"The forecast has not improved, and the announcement of a named storm has confirmed what will be a very sensible decision. 

"There is so much that goes into this event, and I'm so very proud of it.

"What we achieve is beautiful, and with thousands of pounds being raised every year, it is without a doubt life-changing for beneficiaries of the charities we support.

"The event also acts as a showcase for what my company Lakeland Mountain Guides can achieve, and one thing we are good at is keeping people safe in the mountains.

"This event is far above our appetite for risk due to its nature, and of course the strong winds," he said. 

The festival is rescheduled for Saturday, August 17, 2024, with plans mainly remaining the same.

A heartfelt thanks was extended to photographers, raffle donors, partners, and sponsors, including LightupU Nichol End Marine, The Lake District Stop, and The Drowsy Goose for their continuous support.

Attendees are invited to join in supporting The Michelle Jurd Trust.

"I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone regarding my post yesterday pre-warning of a potential cancellation," Matt said. 

"Social media can be a hateful place sometimes, but I saw nothing but support and patience which was greatly appreciated.

"Thanks to everyone who was coming to support this weekend. For those of you who are still visiting the area, I hope you have a fantastic time enjoying the area and supporting our many hospitality venues."