Carlisle's Old Fire Station arts centre is to reopen next week.

Nine months after being swamped by the floods of Storm Desmond, the venue will again be back in business.

The open night next Saturday will feature local bands The Chadelics and Ogres of Go-Go and entry is free.

The Rickergate centre opened last May following a £1 million redevelopment by Carlisle City Council.

It quickly won many friends for its atmosphere and wide-ranging programme, but was forced to close just seven months later.

Dozens of events were postponed and cancelled and the huge repair project has cost in the region of £500,000.

The centre is reopening ahead of schedule and Carlisle city council’s arts officer and OFS manager Stephen Dunn can’t wait.

“I’m thrilled and delighted and really excited,” he said.

“It has been so long coming and it is great to get going again.”

Next Saturday’s opening is free with entry on a first-come first-served basis. Doors open at 7pm.

The first gig at the newly-reopened centre will be a performance by guitarist Danny Bryant on September 22, with support from The Mentulls.