THE exciting line-up of events, displays and installations as part the first City of Lights project in Carlisle has been hailed a success, bringing an influx of people to the city centre.

The four-day event, which started on Wednesday and ends today, has seen more than 4,000 people pass through the city.

The project, a partnership between Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council alongside a range of local partners, is being delivered under the Love Carlisle brand.

The aim of Love Carlisle initiative is to organise and promote events, opportunities and activities that raise the profile of Carlisle and celebrate the variety of cultural and creative talent in the city.

Coun. Stephen Higgs, Carlisle City Council’s portfolio holder for Culture, Heritage and Leisure, praised the four-day event.

He said: “The Carlisle City of Lights has illuminated the city and showcased our key landmarks to a captivated audience. The cathedral event was a particular success with more than 4,000 tickets sold.

“The initial feedback has been extremely positive and we look forward to planning future events of this type.

“I’d like to thank all our staff, Cumbria County Council, the sponsors and businesses that supported the event.”

Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for public health and local communities, and local member for Harraby South, Deborah Earl, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the city brought to life the through the SPACE event at the cathedral and the various light installations in the city centre.

“The City of Lights project is a great way to showcase and celebrate Carlisle, and I am pleased to have seen it develop from an idea on a piece of paper into the superb event we’ve had this week.”

The centre piece of the City of Lights event was the visual spectacle in Carlisle Cathedral. The cathedral hosted The Great Exhibition - SPACE: God, the Universe and Everything, inspired by the 1969 moon landings.

Created by the award-winning Luxmuralis artistic collaboration, it took people on a walking journey through the cathedral, revealing the universe, galaxies, space, creation and light through a variety of light installations that transformed the internal space of the cathedral.

“I think we have a great opportunity to develop this into an annual event which the whole community can take part in and enjoy,” continued Mrs Earl.

“It has also been an excellent example of what can be achieved when councils and local businesses work in partnership and I’d like to thank everyone involved for their support and enthusiasm.”