Town councillors debated whether changes should be made to the popular Christmas Eve carols held on Cockermouth Main Street.

The town council has been associated with the event, at which music is provided by Cockermouth Mechanics Band, for about 30 years.

Cllr David Malloy suggested it be held earlier in the evening, to encourage more children.

Cllr Alan Tyson said: "I would like to propose we keep to 8pm because it's traditionally been then and traffic tends to be less.

"I would like to propose a road closure as there's a lot of people there and, with it being Christmas Eve, many have been in the pub."

The town council is too late to apply for a county council closure if that was needed. Clerk Sheila Brown said she could write to Allerdale Borough Council regarding what was required.

"We would need a traffic management plan, risk assessment and first aid," she said.

Cllr Malloy said: "This is an impromptu event. If it rains the band can't play. I think personally we leave it as it is regarding road closures.

"We have had it many years and had no complications. If we had to get a county council road closure it would cost us £1,500 for 40 minutes of carols."

Cllr Julie Laidlow said: "It's not technically a town council event, although we help. By doing this we are taking on responsibility."

"It's an event which we have taken on but I think we should leave it as a spontaneous event and make sure everything works," said Cllr Alan Smith.

Eight councillors moved to leave the carol concert as it is, three voted against this proposal.

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