HUNDREDS of people turned up to Cumbria’s first music festival since lockdown.

More than 600 festival-goers attended Summer Soul at Craven Park this weekend which featured the best of Barrow’s soul DJs in a day filled with motown, club classics, jazz funk, fusion and more.

The event was the town's and county’s first festival to take place since the Covid-19 lockdown was announced in March.

Brian George, festival organiser, described the atmosphere as ‘fantastic’.

He said: “People were really enjoying the event all day.

“There was no trouble or visits from the police.

“The Craven Park staff were brilliant and kept busy all day.

“These events are a great opportunity for friends to get to see each other again, and with the coronavirus lockdown being in place they haven’t been able to.”

Mr George was hoping for around 300 people to attend and ended up doubling his target.

He said: “All in all, a very successful event with the Barrow people, being their usual friendly, and generous selves.”

This year the event was raising money for the Croft Nursing Home in Barrow.

The Barrow-based charity provides accommodation, support and care for 46 adults with learning and physical disabilities.

Mr George said: "I haven’t counted up how much we made on the raffle, as yet, but it should be a decent amount.

“The Croft were delighted with the event.”