A POPULAR town festival will go ahead this weekend - and the organisers hope lots of people will show their support.

Cockermouth Live! will take place on Saturday and Sunday.

Chairman Bob Pritchard said: "It’s meant a lot more work by the organisers and the performers to ensure that the venues and events are Covid safe and there will be some obvious precautions in place, such as social distancing, meaning reduced audience size, and the need for audiences to wear face coverings.

"However, the very fact of live music, performed to a live audience, has brought a real sense of excitement and anticipation to this year’s event."

Last year's event had to be moved online as a result of the pandemic. Thousands of people were able to watch lots of performers do their bit on YouTube.

Friday’s headliner, the poet, broadcaster and comedian Ian McMillan is delighted to be coming to Cockermouth for his first live gig since March last year.

His show is sold out, but there may be still be a few tickets left for Saturday’s live performance by Northumberland piper Kathryn Tickell and her trio.

On Saturday there will be music in the Kirkgate Centre and in the URC from 10am and in the castle from 10.30am. These are free events and there are no tickets, just turn up in good time as seating is limited.

And look out for the mad scientist, Professor Pumpernickel, going around town with his own brand of explosive entertainment.

For a full timetable of events see the brochure in shops or on the website www.cockermouthfestival.org.