A FESTIVAL to mark the centenary of miner, artist and rock climber Bill Peascod will now be held on his 101st birthday.

The Settlement on Castle Hill in Maryport had planned a large festival, involving local schools.

Guest speakers were Emma, his London-based artist daughter and Lakeland rock climber Bill Birkett who used to climb with him.

Organiser Dolly Daniel said: “Bill was a remarkable man. He was born in Ellenborough, left school at an early age to become a miner. He studied mining engineering at night classes and then emigrated to Australia.

“He was a talented artist and a very keen rock climber. One of the exciting things we had planned was an exhibition of his paintings from a private collection.”

Before lockdown the Settlement’s resident artist, Alan Roper, was working with schools.

The event was planned for his 100th birthday in May but will now mark his 101st when the children’s art will be shown.