Thousands of people made the most of the first bank holiday of the year which brought a boost to Cumbria's economy.

The four-day Easter break, which is a thriving time of the year for the tourism industry, saw scores of people enjoying what the region has to offer.

Despite a mixed bag of weather, attractions and events were kept on their toes as families came together to make the most of the long weekend.

Ian Stephens, managing director at Cumbria Tourism, says: “The Easter holidays are traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for Cumbria’s tourism sector, with lots of attractions and accommodation providers gearing up to welcome families wanting to make the most of the school break.

"It has been a positive start to the year, and now businesses are really gearing up for the start of the main holiday season.

“From Carlisle’s Easter International Festival to Ullswater’s Daffodil Festival, there are plenty of events taking place across the county to encourage people to get out and enjoy the best of what the Lake District, Cumbria, has to offer.”

Crowds were drawn in by three-day food and drink festival celebrating the best of what the county's producers have to offer.

Taste Cumbria, which is organised by Carlisle-based CN Events in association with Cumbria Life magazine, started in Kirkby Lonsdale on Friday.

It was busy in Market Square with more than 40 stalls Visitors travelled from across the area and further afield.

Mandy Norwood of CN Events said "an absolute pleasure" bringing Taste Cumbria to the town.

"The local people and businesses have been so welcoming and it’s great to see how many of them have set up stalls in the producers’ markets," she said.

Thomas Marshall of The Fudge Bar, Carlisle, said he had a great response from customers as usual.

Elsewhere youngsters were on the prowl for chocolate eggs in a number of hunts hosted around the county.

Vanessa Strickland, of Stanwix, Carlisle, took her sons, Freddie, nine, and seven-year-old Kenny, to a trail around the grounds of St Michael's Church on Friday. The following day they also took part in Carlisle Castle's Easter egg hunt.

"It was a really good turnout. The church was really busy and I think they were quite pleased," she said.

The mum-of-two also ran the Junior Park Run on Sunday morning and despite the rain weather she was pleased that more than 80 children, aged four to 14, turned out to take part.

The 2km run through Bitts Park can attract up to 140 young people on a good week.

"I would think, probably like anything most of them are doing stuff over the Easter weekend or they're on holiday," said Mrs Strickland, 47.

"I thought it was a good considering the weather and that it was Easter."

At Darling Manor in Whitehaven seven girls dressed up and were treated like princesses for the day when they enjoyed a special Easter party.