Hotels and restaurants across Cumbria and the Lake District have reported a surge in bookings for festive parties this year.

Lake District Hotels, which owns six separate hotels across Cumbria, has seen bookings for Christmas party nights soar over the last few months.

It appears that groups of colleagues and friends have long anticipated the Christmas season after last year's festivities were put on hold due to the pandemic.

Dani Hope, a director at Lake District Hotels, said the flurry of party bookings had set the tone for a busy Christmas period.

Ms Hope said: "Christmas 2020 was certainly unlike anything most people have experienced before, as Covid-19 rules prohibited large gatherings of family and friends and the traditional festive work dos.

"This year we’re finding that people are making up for it by booking earlier and having super celebrations, with some choosing to have more than one Christmas party to celebrate with their different groups of friends.

"We’re so pleased to be able to offer a programme of festive party nights this year. Turkey, tipples and the very best of Christmas music will be the order of the night across our hotels and we can’t wait to make memories once more."

The reports suggest that some people have booked parties twice.

Lake District Hotels group has decided to hold a poll on social media to find out people's top five Christmas song.

The Pogues- Fairytale In New York came out on top with Mariah Carey and Wham also making it into the top three.

The group say that the most popular tunes will be taken into account as part of preparation for the Christmas festivities.

The group have already started putting up Christmas decorations which have been described as a spectacular display.

If you wish to book you can still get spaces at Four of the Lake District Hotels' venues: The Inn on the Lake on the shores of Ullswater, The Borrowdale Hotel in Borrowdale; and The Inn on the Square or The Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick.

We are told that each venue will add its own unique twist to the Christmas celebrations.

There are still dates available in December and for more information visit: www.lakedistricthotels.net/christmas-party-nights.