Sunday's Lakesman triathlon has been hailed a success, with organisers estimating that it could have exceeded the £1.5 million that last year's inaugural event brought into the local economy.

Almost 400 athletes descended on the area over the weekend for the event, which started and finished in Keswick, with many of them staying in hotels or B&Bs.

Lakesman event director Marie Whitehead, of CN Events, said she was confident that Sunday's event had at least matched the economic success of last year's.

She said: "Last year was unbelievable and I think this could be even better.

"It's not just a one day event. The athletes turn up on Thursday and leave on Monday and they bring their family and friends to support them.

"People just want the Lakesman experience to continue a little bit longer.

"When I walked around Keswick on Friday night everyone had Lakesman rucksacks which made me feel incredibly proud."

Vanessa Metcalfe, manager at Keswick Tourism Association, added: "Certainly based on the report the Lakesman provided us last year and from actually being in town on Sunday, it brought a large number of people into the town.

"Anybody that was there supporting would wander up and have a look around the shops and the accommodation providers were busy as well.

"A lot of competitors also came up in the months leading up to the event so that they could practise and check out the route and hopefully it will have a knock-on so some people who visited for the event will have enjoyed it and come back for holidays."

The 25-mile Mighty Hike trek from Keswick School to Rothay Park in Ambleside on Saturday, which raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support, also drew 1,000 hikers, many of them from outside the area.

Nicola Smith, commercial director of event organiser Action Challenge, said: "We were extremely happy with the turnout.

"It was the first year we operated the event with this route and it was a success.

"The geography is a big draw for people so it was hugely popular and I believe we had a lot of people taking part who weren't from the local area.

"They also had family and friends there to support them so hopefully it had a positive impact for locals too."