Carlisle’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe promises to be a weekend of fun that highlights talented local performers and businesses.

The creative hive-mind behind the Carlisle Collective Fringe has pulled together a three-day festival complete with performances, market stalls, a bar, and even a limited edition donut in just five months.

It is a celebration of all the talent emerging from Carlisle - both businesses or performers.

Katharine Simmons, chairwoman of the Carlisle Collective Fringe, said: “It’s going really well and things are starting to piece together really nicely.

“We’ve got most of it in order now, we’ve got stalls confirmed and all the bands confirmed - most of our volunteers have signed up.”

Jack Ibbotson, secretary of the Carlisle Collective Fringe, added: “At this point we have got a festival, which five months ago we never really thought we would have done.”

The eight-member team took matters into their own hands in March when it was announced that the Carlisle Fringe would not be returning for a fourth year.

So far, they have managed to avoid any major catastrophes.

“The problems that we have had, we’re glad they happened when they did and not now,” explained Jack.

Businesses have pulled out from taking part in the Collective Fringe but they gave the Carlisle Collective plenty of time to make new arrangements.

“At this point we can’t really afford to have any big hiccups,” he said.

They have pulled together a roster of artists that represent the broad and diverse cultural side of Carlisle well.

It shifts seamlessly between the satirical band Working Class Artists who define themselves as “loud, brash, angry and demonically possessed,” and The Judas Kiss, a full-frontal retelling of the pivotal moments in Oscar Wilde’s life.

The Carlisle Collective Fringe isn’t just a festival for adults, or theatre lovers.

Jack said: “On the Friday we have got Rainbow Jelly, which will be really nice for the kids.

“On the Saturday, we have a magician coming along.”

Despite the inaugural Fringe not yet out of the way, the pair are already thinking ahead to next year.

“We’re going to have a week off after the event has finished, and then we are going to go straight into the application for next year,” commented Katharine.

They are still looking out for volunteers to help make the event run smoothly from start to finish, applications are still open.

The Fringe will take place from August 23-25.