This week we are taking a look back at a popular food and drinks festival that was held back in December 2018.

Taste Cumbria, which has become a popular feature, came to Cockermouth at Christmas time and was enjoyed by thousands.

The town was filled with the smells of mulled wine and spiced cider, roasting meats and home baked treats as Main Street filled with dozens of food and drink producers.

There were fears on the night before that the festival may not be able to go ahead as strong gusty winds hit West Cumbria. The organisers, Carlisle-based CN Events, had been unable to erect two large weatherproof marquees as planned, so traders were asked to set up in gazebos early on Saturday morning in the hope that the wind would drop.

Louisa Le Voi, who owns Cockermouth’s Quince & Medlar restaurant with her husband Colin, had a stall in the Taste Cumbria market. She said: "We ploughed on with the cooking even when we feared it wouldn’t go ahead and it has been great. We sold all our Christmas cakes on Saturday, people were queuing for food before we’d even set up our stall!"

Darren Todd, from Chestnut House in Pooley Bridge at Ullswater, said that they did the festival to promote their shop. Mr Todd said: "They’ve had people in the shop at Ullswater today who were here with us yesterday. We wanted to come to the festival because our business has Cumbria at its core. We stock every single Cumbrian spirit and local food suppliers in our food hall. It’s been fantastic to meet so many visitors and locals alike."

The same weather conditions affected outdoor events all over the area – the organisers of the Windermere Christmas Celebration also announced their event would begin later than planned, while markets in Hexham and in Workington were both cancelled.

Since 2018 numerous Taste Cumbria events have been held to great success. This year another was held in Cockermouth whilst Wigton residents praised their event.