VISITORS to an annual Christmas festival were hailed as “amazing” as they braved torrential rain and high winds.

The rain poured down endlessly on to the cobbled streets of Ulverston during the Dickensian Festival this weekend.

Yet despite a yellow weather warning being issued by the Met Office, thousands of visitors still took to the streets to visit the wide array of stalls and watch the free entertainment.

This year may not have broken the record for the most visitors to the Dickensian but enthusiasm and excitement could still be seen round every street corner.

The annual event began on Saturday when the mayor of Ulverston, Bharath Rajan, officially opened the festival at 10am at Market Cross.

Stalls lined the streets selling mulled wine, shortbread, roasted nuts and other goodies.

Many visitors were keen to embrace the theme of the Dickensian Festival and dressed up in full attire.

Rachael Weaver, who runs Two By Two and Sara Charlesworth, who runs Tinner’s Rabbit Picture Framing, both in in Ulverston, were dressed for the occasion.

They both donned old wedding dresses, veils and pearls as they enthusiastically took to the role of Miss Havisham.

Miss Charlesworth said: “This is the first time we have dressed up as Miss Havisham but we do dress up every year.

“This is definitely our best outfit yet, we have exceeded our expectations.”

As well as the stalls, visitors also got to enjoy the music provided by a number of acts, including Ulverston Town Band and street carnival band, Blast Furness.

Victorian Time Travellers, Bell and Bullock entertained guests as they danced in the streets of Ulverston and zoomed around on a buggy.

There was also a performance by Astral Circus and Furness Morris Dancers which had people sheltering under stall marquees to watch.

Michelle Scrogham, who co-owns Pure in Market Street with her sister Leanne Fox, is one of the committee members who helped arrange the festival.

This was her first year on the committee and her job was to book the stalls and help arrange the layout.

She said: “I am absolutely amazed at the stallholders and the visitors because we have never seen weather like this when the Dickensian is on.

“We have had to batten the stalls down because it’s been ridiculously windy. Despite this we have still had so many people visiting and I think that’s just amazing.”

One of the stallholders over the weekend was Miss Fox who was launching her new product, White Fox Bears.

She said: “When people come to the festival they don’t always realise what’s on offer inside the shops so some of us have decided to set up stalls to bring our products outside.

“The Dickensian has given me the opportunity to launch some new products.”

As well as shopping there was also plenty on offer for the little ones.

A children’s fairground was set up outside the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Brogden Street and a vintage steam wagon toured the town stopping for photographs.

There was the traditional favourite of the period costume competition which ran on both Saturday and Sunday from County Square.

This gave the people who dressed up a chance to show off their Victorian outfits.