PEOPLE turned out in their thousands to enjoy the Damson Day Fair, one of the earliest events in the Lake District show season - the problem was Mother Nature forgot to tell the damson blossom to come out and greet them.

According to veteran damson watcher Jim Bownass, Saturday's Lyth Valley fair was held for the first time with no blossom on the trees.

"We're a week behind with the blossom," said Mr Bownass, who is the fair's regular announcer, helped by his wife Pam. "As far as I'm aware, it's the first time this has happened since the fair has been running. But it's not just damson - all blossom seems to be a week late this year."

But the blossom shortage failed to spoil the spirits of the weekend fairgoers, with lots on offer at the Low Farm venue to keep them occupied and entertained, including cookery demonstrations, dog agility, archery, live music and guided walks to see the Lyth Valley's damson orchards.

And as each year goes by, there's always something new that's damson related to add to the general interest.

"These days people are doing much more with this wonderful fruit," said Mr Bownass, who makes damson gin. "You can event get damson gumbo, damson cheese, damson whisky and damson stout."

Damson Day Fair regularly attracts up to 3,000 visitors. The fruit has been grown and harvested in the Lyth and Winster valleys for generations. The orchards surround farms and trees grow beside stone walls and hedgerows, producing white blossom in spring and the distinctive tasting purple fruit in late summer.