THE sun was shining and spirits were high as people came together in Carlisle to celebrate diversity.

The city's second Unity Festival, which returned today, aimed to tackle marginalisation of individuals and groups to make Carlisle a more welcoming place.

Following it's success in 2016, organisers AWAZ Cumbria, Carlisle One World Centre and Carlisle Op Shop were keen to continue spreading their important message that everyone is equal.

Stallholders representing all corners of our diverse county were on hand in the city centre to tell people about their work.

Peter McCall, Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, said it was "a great illustration this is that even here in Cumbria we are getting the message that the world is a diverse place.

"If we can share and respect our cultures and traditions, things like hate crime should become a thing of the past."

Carlisle Eden Mind had set up a pledge tree, encouraging people to think about how they can improve their own mental health of someone else's mental health.

Pledges includes not being too hard on yourself when things go wrong, to calls friends battling anxiety and depression and to take more time out relaxing.

Volunteers Tessa Tilbe, who is training to be a support worker for the crisis centre, said it was important to tell people about how they can help, especially if they feel they have nowhere else to turn.

"It's good to meet new people and find out about different mental health problems and people's experiences," she said.

"The main thing is understanding why Mind is needed so much. You have all sorts of people who don't know where to turn and we can provide useful information to help make a difference."

Garryck Holmes, head coach of Border City Rollers, said: "It's a really good way to get involved with the local community and try and get our name out there as well.

"We pride ourselves on equality and diversity that is what we are all about."

Border City Rollers were raising the profile of roller derby and telling people about their club which welcomes anyone over the age of 18 of any ability.

"We are here to celebrate diversity. Diversity is fantastic and we are all equal," said Kate North, equality and diversity lead for Cumbria Partnership NHS trust.

Dumfries-based refugee charity Massive Outpouring of Love, which works closely with Carlisle Refugee Action Group, also had a stand.

Fee Biddlecombe-Hall said: "We are spreading the word about refugees to try to get more tolerence and get love out there. It is a world of conflict and hate at the moment and it's great to be part of a Unity Festival."

The charity was set up in 2015 and has sent van loads of aid to refugees in Calais and war-torn countries. It's latest donations was a seven tonne lorry of 400 boxes of supplies.

Performances from Clog and Sword dancers, Blue Jam and Duke's Jam ukulele band gave the celebration a festival atmosphere.