Workington turned into a winter wonderland for the town’s annual Christmas festival.

Children got an opportunity to meet Santa in his grotto, play in a giant snow globe, have their face painted and have fun on fairground rides at Workington Christmas Festival on Saturday.

The town centre was packed for the event, which also featured walkabout artists, children’s characters and performances on the main stage as well as entertainment in The Hub.

Keith Robinson, 33, of Workington, took his children James, seven, and Ruby, four, to meet Santa.

He said: “It’s always a good event, the festival is very well organised. Meeting Santa is the part the kids enjoy the most.”

Deborah Wilkinson, of Workington, was with her children Emma, eight, and Kate, four.

She said: “We come every year to the festival, the children love it. They performed in the Carnegie as part of WADAMS and they’ve been on the rides.”

Rebecca Fullerton, 26, of Workington, said her children Jake and Sofia Hilland, aged seven and six, loved playing in the giant snow globe.

“They’ve had a lovely day,” she added.

Poet John Hastings performed some of his work on the main stage, a mixture of Christmas and town-inspired poems.

He said: “Days like this make me proud to be from Workington. I’m grateful to the organisers Workington Town Council for giving me the opportunity to read my poems.”

Councillor Janet King, town mayor, switched on the lights with help from the winner and runners-up of her Christmas Card competition.

The children were winner Amelia Jackson, six, Lexie Henderson, five, both of Ashfield infant school, Ezre Bell, four, of Victoria infant school and Alfie Harrison, eight.

Coun King said: “The event has been really well supported and it’s been a lovely day.

“There were lots of children going to see Santa and the tombola raised money for the mayor’s charities.

“I’d like to thank everybody for their hard work, especially the town hall team, they’ve done a fantastic job.

“These events bring people together and it’s important that we provide them because not everybody can afford to go away and it’s nice for everyone to have a fun day together.”

Councillor Carole Armstrong, chairman of Workington Town Council’s culture committee, said: "It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people come out and support this event.

"The town centre had an amazing atmosphere and everyone was really enjoying themselves.

"The umbrella parade, led by Bjamba Samba, was a particular highlight this year and all the acts on our stage did a wonderful job of entertaining the crowds."