Cockermouth Carnival cancelled due to lack of interest

And to add a splash of carnival spirit, there will be a fancy dress competition.

Cockermouth Carnival was first held more than 120 years ago and was always a much-loved colourful day in the town calendar.

Town councillors Julie Laidlow and Isabel Burns, who have been on the committee for more than 30 years, resurrected the carnival in 2016 after a five-year break. The last one was held in 2019.

There were plans to stage one this year.

"We put an appeal out for queens and entries earlier in the year but had very very little response," said Cllr Laidlow.

"A lot of people do not have the time any more, people simply cannot commit like they did in the past.

"We never used to struggle for participants but over the years it's got harder and harder.

"Covid has been the final nail in the coffin."

Cllr Laidlow hopes the event may be resurrected in the future.

The town council fun day will still go ahead on what would have been carnival day - Saturday, June 17.

Carnival fun in days gone by (Image: Newsquest)

A fun day was organised by the council last year to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It proved such a success that they decided to make it an annual event.

There will be lots of family fun laid on in Memorial Gardens, from 1pm to 6pm.

This will include a funfair, food stalls, music, pet encounters and cartoon characters.

The carnival committee will be running a fancy dress competition.

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In years gone by, thousands of people would line Main Street to watch the colourful, musical procession - often lead by Cockermouth Mechanics Band - winds its way through town, along Main Street and on to Memorial Gardens.

There would be a selection of Queens in fabulous hand-decorated floats. Many schools, pubs and town groups would rise to the occasion, dressing up and entertaining the crowds.