Food stalls, prosecco, beer and music have been enjoyed by locals and visitors alike at Whitehaven's Taste Cumbria Summer Festival.

Day one of the festival saw the town packed with people as stalls and activities were held on King Street, Market Place and the harbourside.

Near the Hub there was a beer festival with live music as well as children's entertainment.

And visitors had the chance to check out some chef demonstrations including Kevin McAvoy creating a chicken dish and Jon Fell dishing up tasty scallops.

Along the harbourside were cars from some of the county's top dealers as well as a selection of classic cars.

The event has been a great success, say organisers, who are looking forward to the second day of the festival tomorrow (Sunday).

Marie Whitehead, of CN Events which has organised the Taste Cumbria festival, said: "It has been absolutely brilliant. We have had quite a lot of traders sell out so they need to go home to re-stock for tomorrow.

"The sun has come out and so have the people."

The annual Motor Show, which is now its seventh year, also proved a hit for locals.

Marie said the show featured ten of Cumbria's top motor dealers, and all were delighted with the footfall.

She said the festival would not have been possible without the support of Whitehaven Town Council, Copeland Council and Stoller Newport.

Among those out enjoying the festival were Whitehaven sisters Thomasina Stephenson and Michelle Benson. They said the event was good for the town.

Michelle added: "I just wish there was more like this for the town."

While mum Laura McManus and daughter Bella, also of Whitehaven, enjoyed the variety of stalls on offer.

Youngster Bella said: "I liked tasting the sticky toffee cheese!"

Local traders also had the chance to set up shop in the market place and King Street.

Rachel Holliday, of Calderwood House, said staff and residents had been selling Calderwood's coffee from their van.

She said: "It's been amazing. I have never seen this as busy in a very long time. I've been able to chat to people I haven't seen for a while, all while serving Calderwood Coffee to our community who have supported us from the start."

She said she was looking forward to returning to the festival tomorrow.

Blessing Addey-Oldeide, of Blessing's Bakery, says she has sold so much that she was going home to make more cupcakes and cakes for day two tomorrow.

She said it was good to see so many "people's faces, happy and smiley!"

The Smokery, which sells a variety of smoked products, at Haverigg Prison, has also been a popular choice.

Morag Hopkins, instructor at Haverigg Prison, who has been selling the products said people have been keen to buy local products from local traders, including the prison.

She said: "This festival has been a bit special. The local traders have welcomed us with open arms."

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Guide to Sunday's events:

Stalls on King Street and the Market Place 10am until 4pm.

Chef demos- Whitehaven harbourside

11am – Gary McClure, Cumbrian food ambassador

Noon – Local chef prepares locally sourced fish

1pm – Jon Fell, The Green Room, Rosehill Theatre

2pm – Helen Askew, Tipsy Filly vintage bar

3pm – John Crouch, spice expert

Beer festival at the Hub, on the harbourside 11am to 5pm on both days.

Entry is free, tasting notes will be available. There will be the chance to taste cask ales, ciders and lagers, handpicked by the Tractor Shed Brewing team, with alternatives for non-beer drinkers.

There’ll be live music from these local musicians too:

Noon – Beachmaster

1pm – Twitchers

2pm – Clare Louise Roberts

3pm – Joe McCorriston

Wine tastings will be taking place at Richardson's of Whitehaven, on Lowther Street.


Children’s activities are set to take place at the Hub from 10am until 4pm.

Entertainment for the littlest food festival visitors from Rainbow Jelly. There’ll be arts and crafts as well as drama workshops and story telling with a foodie theme.

The Whitehaven Harbour Motor Show will also be taking place on the harbourside from 10am until 4pm.