Bavarian sausages, Filipino noodles and paella were all among the sights and smells as Workington International Festival got under way yesterday.

The event, which runs until Sunday, has been organised by Allerdale council and Geraud Markets who runs the regular Wednesday and Saturday market in the town.

Stalls selling food, crafts, furniture and jewellery lined Murray Road and a funfair for children was set up on Finkle Street.

John Chilton, 37, of Darcy Street, Workington, was among those attended on Friday and was joined by wife Stacey, 36, and children Sam, 11, Tayla, nine, and Max, 15 months.

He said: "It's good as you don't often see multiculturalism.

"You very rarely get stalls like this in the town. The kids love the sweet stalls and my wife loves the noodle and coffee stalls."

The festival continues tomorrow and Sunday when there will be entertainment on Murray Road and under The Hub.

Performers will include Union Gap, Broken English, Salvation, Kerry & Jed, Cindy Hoten, Just Jock, Frankie, Flimby Brass Band, Plastic Paddy and John Hastings with poetry.

A fitness and massaging stall, face painting, Henna tattooing, a rodeo bull, charity stalls and an assault course will also be on offer.

Toni Magean, town centre manager for Allerdale council, said: "For a Friday it's been a good turnout.

"There are a lot of people with food in their hands and a lot of the foods and products that are on sale are ones you can't normally find in town.

"If this is successful we're hoping it can become an annual event."

Geraud's regular Saturday market will take place and stallholders are being encouraged to join in the festivities.

Murray Road will remain closed until 10pm on Sunday night.

The festival will be on between 10am and 6pm today and 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

The festival is also being backed by Workington town council and the Washington Square shopping centre.