Families across West Cumbria have joined in the celebrations of Beatrix Potter's birthday.

The much-loved children's author and illustrator was born 150 years ago today.

Youngsters at Workington’s Footsteps Nursery have held a special four-day celebration to mark the anniversary.

The nursery, at the Minto Centre in Westfield Drive, extended its age limit to eight and invited families who are or have previously been registered.

Children took part in a Peter Rabbit art and craft day, a gardening and cooking day and a garden party with traditional party games.

Karen Fisher, nursery manager, said: “It’s been fantastic and we’ve had a terrific response.

“It’s been lovely to see some of our old pupils come back.

“It’s important to keep that legacy alive and it’s important that children should know her stories and the work that she did.”

A Squirrel Nutkin theme day is due to take place tomorrow, which will feature raft building and an owl from Barrow’s Owl Sanctuary will also visit.

At Wordsworth House in Cockermouth, staff laid on birthday cake and lots of activities, including storytelling, crafts and a special trail.

The house is staging a new exhibition about Beatrix Potter, telling the stories behind the author.

Called Beatrix Potter and a Love of the Northern Lakes, the exhibition opened at poet William Wordsworth’s childhood home on July 16.

It includes several of Beatrix’s original illustrations together with a selection of photographs taken in the area by her father, Rupert.

Alex Morgan, the house’s interpretation and communications manager, says: “We are the home of one Cumbria literary legend and Beatrix Potter is another literary legend.

"So it seemed very appropriate that we should take a major part in celebrating the work that she did. “She is loved all around the world by both children and adults. She is just as loved nowadays as she was when her stories were written."