About 20,000 people turned out for this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival. 

Beginning on Thursday evening with talks, the event featured a host of outdoor activity sessions, sporting challenges, speakers, and two nights of music from groups including Toploader, Scouting For Girls and Peatbog Faeries. 

This year’s sporting events, covering everything from a short triathlon to a 50k run, attracted almost 3,000 entries, up about 700 on last year. 

Wind and rain on Friday did not stop up to 4,000 hardy festival-goers enjoying the evening’s music headlined by Abba tribute Bjorn Again. 

Though the rain continued on Saturday morning, the sun was shining by lunchtime. 

Families packed the festival village at Crow Park to try out taster activities such as climbing, caving and segway riding. Trade stands, food stalls and drinks tents added to the festival fun. 

Nicola Meadley, festival director, said: “It’s gone very well. We’re delighted that the sun came out.

“We had a late surge in entries for the sporting events.

 “It’s an event that operated at so many levels whether it’s a feat of endurance on the 50k on Sunday morning, dancing the night away or trying out the outside activities.” 

Emma Gray, 27, and Jack Fryer, 30, of Workington were among those enjoying the festival. 

Emma said: “It’s an amazing venue. We come every year. It’s really laid back.”

Jack added: “It’s good for tourism. After the floods it should help boost morale in the town.” 

Sam Alexander, 42, of Dearham, attended with husband Jason, 47, and children Charlie, 12, and Gracie, six. 

She said: “We have never been before and we just fancied it. We do a lot of walking and our friend’s running in the 25K so we’re supporting her. 

“It’s fetching a lot of people in and bringing a lot of money into Keswick after it flooded.” 

Alistair Woodman, 44, of Brampton, was at the festival with family and friends. 

He said: “I came to watch my sister in the short triathlon. “It’s a really good event. There’s fun for everyone.”