The stage is officially set for the Carlisle Collective Fringe.

Acts and venues have been confirmed, and volunteers are ready to get stuck into Carlisle’s newest festival.

Over the weekend of August 23 to 25, performers and businesses will showcase their talents across two venues.

The idea for the fringe arose out of an absence in the Carlisle calendar for an event that celebrates the city’s talent.

Jack Ibbotson, secretary of the Carlisle Collective Fringe, said: “It’s been amazing how quickly things have come together.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been three months just because of how much we have got done - it’s been a deceptively smooth process so far.”

After three successful years, it was announced that the Carlisle Fringe would not take place this summer to give the organisers time to develop a plan for the next few years.

Danielle Atkins, 32, is the performer behind Miss Pearl, who will be one of the closing acts of the Collective Fringe.

She said: “The city is becoming such a hub of activity and the Fringe Festival is a celebration of that.

“I also want to represent female performers as the local music scene is dominated by male performers and there are so many talented women here. I want to lead the way in opening that up to its full potential.”

The Collective Fringe isn’t simply about performances. There will also be workshops and panel discussions about the arts.

Mr Ibbotson said: “We’ve got a couple of different things going on.

“They’re all going to be about different aspects of the arts - we’ve got someone coming about diversity and representation in the arts, we have one about the arts in education.”

Thin White Duke, Brewdog, The Fat Gadgie, and The Fat Cow are among some of the vendors who will be providing Fringe-goers with food and drink.

In celebration of the event, The Fat Cow will be producing a limited edition donut that will be available for those attending the festival.

Jes Barnes, owner of The Fat Cow, said: “We are super excited to be part of something that showcases great local talent

“Its been a long time coming for Carlisle, and what we love so much about the fringe is that it gives people a community to be part of - both customers and traders.

“There is a revolution happening in this great city that is giving local people the opportunity to be proud of where we are from, something that showcases our amazing local businesses and gives residents something to look forward to.”