THE latest Lakes Alive festival has been hailed as "a special moment that people will remember for years", as thousands of people attended the weekend’s event in South Cumbria.

The annual festival, which brought amazing art, activities and performance to Kendal, took place between Friday and Sunday, with visitors travelling from all over the UK.

A major highlight was Pete Johnson’s Shipping Forecast at Kendal Castle. Hundreds of people gathered to watch the sun go down and the lights start to illuminate the hill, gently catching the breeze.

On Friday night pouring rain did not dampen spirits. The Jacob’s Join was attended by more than 800 people who brought food to share and danced to Mazurka's ceilidh.

Spark! gathered more hardy partygoers as they led a huge procession up to Kendal Castle to get first glimpse of Shipping Forecast.

The audacious Keep, which appeared on the Saturday, was a huge draw for visitors. A group of fell walkers even diverted their route to see the piece by Steve Messam.

Lakes Alive also saw vast numbers visiting the Open Studios at The Factory, Shakespeare Centre, Brewery Arts Centre and Abbot Hall Park.

Dance acts Folk Dance Remixed and AbouTime Dance wowed crowds, as did dozens of other music and sound installations.

Phillippa Haynes, festival director said: “It was wonderful weekend. I take my hat off to our audience especially on Sunday for braving the horrible weather. But nothing seems to put them off joining the party!

“We brought fantastic work to Kendal and the people responded brilliantly. We’ve been thrilled by the response and feedback. The procession up to Kendal Castle was a special moment that people will remember for years.”