Images from Carlisle's pub scene 100 years ago will be brought back to life this week.

The introduction of the State Management scheme during World War One is being commemorated with the launch of a new book and one-off stage show.

Tonight (WED) city-born author Matt Hilton is at The King's Head pub in Fisher Street to launch Demon's Drink and Devil's Porridge - his collection of seven short crime fiction stories set against the nationalisation of Britain's pubs.

Mr Hilton, 50, who grew up in Raffles, Carlisle, said: "I was initially approached to write a story that could be given out as part of the anniversary and that has turned into seven and turning into a special volume.

"I knew very little about State Management so I've had to do a bit of research.

"I've tried to name at least one Carlisle pub in each story. I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s when state management was all really coming to an end and so I can recall some of the stories my dad and uncles would tell me when I was growing up."

The State Management scheme was brought in during World War One to help tackle an out-of-control drinking scene, largely involving workers at the huge munitions factory built just over the border at Gretna.

Mr Hilton will be talking about the characters of his new pub-based stories tonight (WED) as well as the inspiration behind the tales.

He will also be doing a reading from the book and signing copies.

The author, who lives in Abbeytown, will also be in Carlisle on Friday night.

"What A State!", a workshop play based on his short stories, will be performed at the Green Room Theatre, West Walls.

It has been rehearsed over three nights and involves a cast of new actors.

Tickets will be available on the door.

Events tonight (WED) and the play on Friday will start at 7.30pm and are free, with donations welcome at the city centre theatre.

The Carlisle State Management scheme changed Britain's bar culture forever.

It has been credited with transforming pub layouts, introducing bar meals and games and making inns more women-friendly.

To commemorate the scheme's 100th anniversary the Carlisle City Centre Business Group put together a series of exhibitions and events, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Viv Dodd, secretary of the business group, who invited Mr Hilton to write a short story for the centenary, was also behind the creation of a statement management pub trail.

It takes in 16 of the city's bars involved in the system.

Tullie House Museum hosted an exhibition and beer festival from July to September.