Homegrown stars and national talent wowed audiences at the Concert for the Community in the Sand’s Centre.

The packed-out room laughed, cried, and sang-along to timeless hit as nine performers took to the stage for the annual News & Star show, staged with Sands operator GLL.

It is part of Christmas tradition for members of the audience.

“We come every year to see this show because we think it’s fantastic,” said Lorraine Hornsby, 53, who is a support worker for the Glenmore Trust. She was supporting two ladies so that they could have the chance to see the acts.

Joanne Gibbon, 58, and Sharon Gilmore, 60, both from near Burgh by Sands, took their mum to the show.

“We’ve been to one or two before and I think it is a lovely thing for the community,” said Joanne. “All the older people are able to come and it’s free, of course.”

Each act brought something entirely new to the stage which kept the excitement high as the audience eagerly waited for the next act to begin.

Collabro star Matt Pagan was particularly popular as many in the audience had been watching him perform on the stage for years.

“I liked Matt singing ‘Bring Him Home’ because it has special memories,” commented Sharon Gilmore.

Another act that was well-liked among the crowd was Carlisle Dance Academy - each of their four performances was completely different.

Rose Cochrane, 85, from Annan enjoyed the show and their costumes.

“It was good,” she said.

“It was nice to see their outfits,” added Donna Thompson, 45, from Annan, who was supporting Rose.

Both the afternoon and the evening shows were hosted by BBC Radio Cumbria’s Caroline Robertson whose dry wit had the room chuckling.

There was a huge round of applause as she began the show by paying tribute to the late John Myers, who had compered the show for years.