ORGANISERS are gearing up for this autumn’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival.

The second ever event takes place between 17-19 October 2014 throughout Kendal with the whole town getting involved.

Last year’s event attracted thousands of comic lovers and 70 artists and writers from a range of national and international comics.

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This year, 36 businesses in Kendal are also pairing up with schools, colleges and community groups to create an original art trail.

This year’s roster of family events have been announced, which were one of the most popular elements of last year.

Based in Kendal Library, Westmorland Shopping Centre and the Shakespeare Centre off Highgate, this year's Comics Family Zone will feature workshops and free activities, plus face-painting, screen printing and competitions.

You can make your own comics, create your own characters, and even get a professional comic artist to draw you a picture of anything you want – so long as you draw a picture for them too.

The Comics Family Zone Line-Up includes artists from The Phoenix Comic - a weekly children’s comic.

Phoneix Comic artists Adam Murphy, Gary Northfield, Neill Cameron and Laura Anderson, will be guiding youngsters through the amazing world of comics with their workshops.

You’ll learn how to draw, create characters and tell stories and then bring them to life for your own comic masterpiece!

All workshops are suitable for those aged six to 12 years except teen workshops aimed at 12-16 years.

Prices are £3 with tickets pre-bookable and to book tickets visit the events pages on www.comicartfestival.com/tag/family-zone

Also in attendance will be artist Kev F Sutherland, who has drawn for The Beano, 2000AD and Doctor Who.

He will be giving a drawing masterclass and helping kids create their very own comics in the library.

His event is suitable for seven to 12 years old and no experience is necessary.

Again the price is £3 with tickets pre-bookable via the events pages on www.comicartfestival.com/tag/family-zone.

The Family Zone will also have several free events taking place.

The Windows on Art Trail - with support from the Kendal Business Improvement District team - will form a trail to follow through the town.

Simon Thomas of Kendal’s Staff of Life bakery and vice chair of the Kendal BID, said: “The trail is a great way for Kendal businesses to get involved and involve the whole town in embracing the festival. The trail will encourage visitors to discover all that Kendal has to offer and to shop in the town.”

Beales Department Store window will form a centrepiece for the trail, hosting an exciting display featuring the festival mascots, Poblin and The Lakes Gang.

The trail appears from October 3 to October 24 and maps and voting slips will be available at participating shops and at the Brewery Arts Centre and the Comics Clock Tower.

For full details, go to www.comicartfestival.com or follow on Twitter @comicartfest or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheLakesInternationalComicArtFestival