Two musical sisters have been helping to celebrate the successful flood recovery work at a Carlisle factory.

London-based loss assessors Harris Balcombe celebrated the completion of their work with McVitie's in Carlisle by hosting a dinner in the capital.

The firm approached the City of Carlisle Orchestra for suggestions of young musicians for the occasion. Sisters Kasia and Monika Davies (ALL CORR) were nominated.

The teenagers, who are both talented violinists, were invited to a top class restaurant in Mayfair to perform for dinner guests.

Monika, 15, and her 17-year-old sister Kasia entertained guests at 34 Mayfair with two pieces.

The pair performed J S Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, and Telemann’s Presto for Two Violins.

Kasia said: "It was such an honour to represent the City of Carlisle Orchestra and the county at this celebration.

"We didn’t feel too nervous, as we’d worked so hard to perfect our performance, just excited to be there, and we both really enjoyed ourselves."

The dinner was held to mark the successful completion of work carried out by the insurance assessment firm for Carlisle's biscuit-making plant.

The factory on Church Street, in Caldewgate, was flooded by water more than a metre high when Storm Desmond brought more than a month's worth of rain in 24 hours.

The resulting damage to electrical equipment and ovens led to the temporary closure of the factory.
It also affected production of some of the nation’s favourite treats - including McVitie's Ginger Nuts and Carr's Table Water biscuits - attracting widespread attention.

Nearly 40m litres of water and 540 tonnes of debris had to be cleaned up, with full production only resuming on the site four months later.

A memorial was unveiled last November in tribute to the 728 employees who worked tirelessly to get the factory back up and running after the floods.

Owner Pladis has gone on to invest heavily in flood resilient measures at the site.

The invitation to perform at the recent flood recovery event in London was as Kasia and Monika and fellow musicians prepare for the latest City of Carlisle Orchestra's next concert.

The spring concert is on Saturday, April 8 and is being held at St John's Church, London Road. It begins at 7.30pm.

The programme will include music by Verdi, Beethoven, Schubert and Weill.

Leon Reimer, the orchestra's musical director, will be conductor for the evening and leader will be Robert Charlesworth.

Tickets for the concert are available.
They are £8 in advance or £9 on the door.

Concessions for children and students are available.

Tickets are available from Bookcase in Castle Street or any orchestra member.