The streets of Ulverston were a sea of people and culinary delights as the first day of the Taste Cumbria festival got underway yesterday.

Scores of people took to the streets to sample the best food and drink that Cumbria has to offer on a wonderful, sunny day.

The festival, which is also taking place tomorrow, has given the chance for people to sample quality Cumbrian produce, and allow businesses to showcase their quality produce.

Crakeside Meat Company, based at Penny Bridge Hall, were in attendance for their third year of the festival, and are set to sell around 5,000 of their sausages over the weekend.

Their Director, Peter Allonby, said: "For us to be on the stall with fresh produce, people have got the confidence in what we are doing.

"I have found people are returning customers, some people from away will make a holiday for the festival.

"The weather has also been inspirational for people to come out to visit too."

The heaving crowds of people enjoying the food and drink have also added to the atmosphere, and there are those hoping that the town could be this busy much more often.

One Ulverston resident said: "The town centre is really busy, I just wish it could be like this more often.

"People are getting out and being able to meet up with each other and enjoy the day, the town needs something like this."

Also with a stall at the event were John Watt & Son, who were boasting a wide range of coffees and teas in their first time at the festival, and they have been roasting coffees for 150 years.

Their owner, Peter Johnston, said: "We have had a great start today. It (the festival) gets lots of business and gives businesses the opportunity to showcase their produce.

"It is incredibly important from our perspective to be able to get our name back out there."