THOUSANDS of people converged on Ulverston at the weekend to sample the wares displayed by food and drink producers from across the county.

Around 15,000 were tempted onto the streets of the market town which was playing host to its second Taste Cumbria food festival on Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24).

This year saw almost 50 traders pack onto the narrow streets alongside a line up of expert demonstrations from the likes of chefs Gary McClure and Scott Fairweather.

It attracted 5,000 more food lovers compared to 2014.

With 43 years of experience on markets, Peter Gott, of Sillfield Farm, Gatebeck, was championing local producers and the importance of buying local.

"It's important that people can know where to find local produce so these events help," he said. "We've got to be more English and remember if you pay local producers they will take that money and spend it locally as well."

Geoff Monkman, owner of Friendly Food of Drink in Staveley, launched his new Mawson's range of traditional cordials including old favourites like pink lemonade, sarsaparilla and cream soda.

"I took over this two weeks ago from a guy I shared a market stall with at Manchester's Christmas markets and this is its first outing in Cumbria," said Geoff, who finished bottling his first batch on Friday (May 22). "Nobody else is making these cordials so I'm getting my name out here."

John Dixon, owner of Cark-in-Cartmel's Fat Flour Bakery, was out in force with breads and pastries of all shapes, flavours and sizes piled high.

"Everything we make is totally natural with no additives - everything is as you see it," he said. "It was great last year at the festival so that's why I'm back.

"It gets your name out there and I love talking to people."

And head of sales at Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Company, Jo Fell, was well prepared after selling out of goods in one day last year.

"Doing local festivals puts something back into the community and it's a good way of gauging what is doing well," she said.

Shirley Marsden, of Preston, was visiting with grandson Ethan, 3.

"We didn't know it was on so it was a bonus for us," she said. "We're going to get some bread and cakes so we have plenty of goodies for the weekend."