A drive by Keswick Convention to be a "good neighbour" and encourage members to visit businesses in town seems to be boosting trade.

One week after the event opened, shopkeepers say there are more people in town and some are reporting a rise in customers.

Organisers are encouraging conventioners to visit the town following angry complaints by traders that the three week long Christian gathering damaged business.

As a result of the concerns raised, the charity group has scrapped afternoon events in the programme for people to enjoy Keswick and its businesses and introduced a shopping loyalty scheme.

Vanessa Metcalfe of Keswick Tourism Association said: "It is early days and we won't be able to properly assess things until we have had feedback from businesses and and see how the loyalty card scheme has gone.

"The town looks busier in the afternoons than I expected it to be.

"Whether that is entirely down to the convention or to other people being in the town, I don't know. But it is looking busier."

Some 30 shops have signed up to the loyalty card scheme which stamps cards for every purchase made and once the 10 spaces have been filled, the card is entered into a przie draw which will be held at the end of the summer holidays.

For the first time, those attending are able to find local attractions in an Enjoy Keswick booklet within the event's programme handbook, and at the new website www.enjoykeswick.net.

Organisers have freed up space in the convention programme for people to enjoy Keswick and its businesses in the afternoons.

A Friends of Keswick loyalty scheme has also been developed by Keswick Tourism Association, Keswick Ministries, Newlands Adventure Centre and Keswick Climbing Wall encouraging people to spend money at a range of businesses and be entered into a prize draw.

James Robson, ministry director, said he wanted to see the event help the town. He added: "It's a big event. It does make a big difference to the town, we recognise that. There will always be challenges like parking but I think it can be a win win."

The tourism manager said the good weather had definitely had a major effect on business: "It started at the beginning of May and it just carried on.

"The longer it lasts, the more confidence people have about booking.

"The month up to the school holidays has been far busier than we would expect.

"The general feedback from accommodation providers and businesses has been that it was almost like the summer holidays starting a month early.

"We do need some rain - but preferably only overnight!"

Keswick ministries will move the convention to the old pencil factory in 2020 following a £7million redevelopment of the site.

Next year's convention would be split between the current Skiddaw Street main venue and the combined Rawnsley and Derwent site, before moving fully to the new integrated site.