MORE than 25,000 people wrapped up warm to enjoy a Dickens inspired weekend in Ulverston.

Live music from Ulverston Town Band, mulled wine and top hats at every turn all made for a fantastically festive weekend.

Although many in attendance had rented their Victorian costumes, mayoress Shirley-Anne Wilson was dressed in authentic garb for the day.

"My costume is from the great grandma of a local lady from Pennington church," she explained. "This is her cape, her hat, her parasol and gloves. They date from about mid-1800 so it’s absolutely genuine and I’m thrilled to be wearing it.

"I was absolutely thrilled to be wearing something genuine and something that’s got a real history with Ulverston. It's the real McCoy."

And with Ulverston's atmospherically chilly streets lined with plenty of stalls for shoppers to pick up Christmas gifts, the event was also good for business.

Mandy Christopher, a businesswoman from pet shop Little Beasties was in full Victorian dress next to her stall. She said that for a shop like hers that sits on the edge of town, it was great to be in the midst of things.

"I really like it because it’s nice to see the town full of people," she said. "We really enjoy it because our shop isn’t in town. It’s on the outskirts, so it’s nice to be involved in something.

"I think people just really like the dressing up. I think they really like anything that’s different and there’s always something different going on in Ulverston."

Saturday also saw the grand Christmas lights switch on, with Ulverston's Business Improvement District chair Chris Nelson saying that the reaction to the new lights had been 'fantastic'.

"We hope that many of the people who attended the Dickensian Festival will return to town over December to enjoy the terrific independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants and choose Ulverston to make their Christmas really special," he added.

As well as live music, there was plenty of other activities and entertainment on offer, including a grand parade, a fairground and storytelling.

Balloon modeller Terry Crawford said that he had been coming to the festival for more than 10 years and that children still appreciated his slightly more old fashioned form of entertainment.

"It’s fascinating to see all the people coming from all over," the76-year-old said. "I can blow balloons up for people from Shrewsbury and Preston. They get people from all over."

Colin Kendall, a committed festival volunteer, said that the Dickensian theme was one that people seemed to be attracted to.

"People love it, they flock," he said. "Since Ulverston started the Dickensian all those years ago you see them popping up all over the place in Grassington and down south."

"It’s all about the community spirit of Ulverston," the 50-year-old volunteer said. "I think it’s very special, the community spirit you find in Ulverston."