A POPULAR entertainer has returned with his much loved Punch and Judy act - coming out of retirement to draw crowds at Silloth Carnival.

Jimmy Langley, 73, from Flimby was known for many years as 'Professor Langley and his Funshine Show', and was a major entertainer around west Cumbria.

After a period of retirement, the much-loved entertainer decided to wow crowds once again, returning to Silloth Carnival on Sunday, September 1 to perform with his Punch and Judy show.

Speaking following the carnival, Mr Langley said: "We had a great day at the Carnival. I am also a member of the International Punch and Judy organisation who sent in lovely feedback , one even asking if I would go to Florida... it's not bad for a 73-year-old rocker.

"We had great crowds at Silloth and [performing] for the first time for 20 years."

By the end of his career in the mid 2000s, Jimmy was entertaining round the country, including at large holiday camps, and he had several TV appearances.

He gave up the puppetry to spend more time with family but the puppets lured him back in 2020 when he was asked to provide the show for a scene in the film 'The Ballad of Lucy Sands'.

Silloth Carnival saw the return of his first Cumbrian carnival performance in over 20 years and judging by its roaring success it may not be the last.