Cockermouth's Taste Cumbria festival could be given a £5,000 boost by the town council.

Town councillor Alan Smith recommended that the council gave the money from funding the town council receives from Allerdale council.

Coun Smith said: "It’s a highlight of the town and we should support it.

"Northbound was tremendous. These things are really starting to impact on the town, they boost the town image and coffers of the shop keepers. They put us on the map for future endeavours."

Coun Sam Standage said: "I thought these things were meant to be self financing but we have to keep giving them money."

No local festivals are self-financing, said Coun Smith.

He added: "The town makes a lot of profit so I think £5,000 is a good buy off. Northbound brought £400,000 into the town."

Coun Rebecca Hanson asked if there was a formal evaluation of the economic impact. "The feedback I got about Northbound was mixed," she said.

Coun Julie Laidlow said it would be less disruptive if the traffic layout was not altered until after Station Street businesses had closed on the Friday.

Councillors agreed to recommend to Allerdale council that the money go to Taste Cumbria, which is organised by CN Events and takes place on September 22 to 24.

Allerdale council gives the town council £10,000 a year to spend on projects that benefit the town.