The Libertines were reunited in Carlisle when Carl Barat joined Pete Doherty on stage at the Old Fire Station.

The gig was billed as acoustic solo set by Doherty but half way through the set the back stage door opened and Barat walked out.

In matching Fred Perry polo shirts the pair blasted out some of their Libertines tracks including Can't Stand Me Now.

Stephen Dunn, from the Old Fire Station, said: "When I saw Carl Barat during the sound check I couldn't believe it. I just thought wow. It was amazing and when the doors opened and everyone came in I thought everyone was in for such a surprise."

Stephen said he could not keep the news of Barat's appearance to himself and admits:"I did give a few people the whisper before he appeared on stage."

Four hundred people packed into the Old Fire Station for the sold out gig on Wednesday night.

Doherty has had a career that has spanned over 17 ramshackle and headline-hitting years.

From The Libertines and Babyshambles to his solo career he is one of the most recognisable faces of the modern British indie scene.

Stephen added: "Doherty played Glasgow on Tuesday night but Barat didn't join him on stage then. He had his dogs with him instead!

"It was one of the best nights we've had at the Old Fire Station. It was one of those magic moments like when Noel Gallagher played on stage with Paul Weller at the Sands Centre.

"The prestige of having Doherty and Barat on stage together in Carlisle is just immense and really exciting."

Doherty is a regular and hugely popular visitor in Cumbria, appearing in Carlisle and at Kendal Calling where he played a secret solo gig in 2016 and then reappeared with the Libertines as headliners last year.

He launched the first tour of Babyshambles at The Brickyard in Carlisle in 2005 and made national headlines with the event and his ability to bring the city centre to an almost standstill.

After the bitter split of the Libertines in 2004 as a result of Doherty's drugs addiction and his failing relationship with Barat, few expected a reunion.

But the band made a slight return in 2010 and then reformed in 2014 to the surprise of many.

Fans were delighted with the performance at a packed out Old Fire Station.

On social media Chris Gardner said: "That was absolutely brilliant! As good a gig as I’ve been to."

And Andrew Convery said it was an "incredible set".