JUGGLERS and acrobats will flock to Eden this summer for what promises to be one of the biggest circus events in the UK.

Founded by Rosie Kelly, Catch! first came to Appleby in 2015, offering one day of workshops, performances and appearances from some of the industry's biggest names.

However, this year the festival is expanding considerably and attendees will be able to enjoy five days of circus antics.

Miss Kelly, who lives in Appleby and has been involved in circus skills since she was a teenager, explained that there had been fantastic feedback for the one-day events.

"This is quite a special year," she said. "It's 250 years of circus so I managed to drum up a lot of interest and excitement for the festival. We had done one day events with a lot of success and people were saying they would love to stay here overnight and see the town more."

Between July 23-27 there will be shows every day, workshops, games and children's activities.

The festival will take place at Appleby Grammar School and although it will mostly be indoors, there will be some big top tents outside too.

Miss Kelly, 26, said that around 500 people had expressed an interest in the event on Facebook - far more she first anticipated.

"We are going to be one of the biggest circus events of the summer," she said. "Maybe even the year."

She explained that about 75 per cent of those in attendance would be those who already did some kind of circus skill but that there would be plenty on offer for 'total beginners' too.

Although Miss Kelly's own talent lies with juggling, she said that there would be attendees who specialised in diabolo, acrobatics, unicycling and more.

"Circus skills appeals to a lot of people with all sorts of abilities," she said, explaining the festival would be as inclusive as possible. "There's a lot of both physical and mental activity involved. You need your brain as much as you need your body."

Visit catchfestival2018.co.uk or 'Catch! A circus and juggling festival in Cumbria' on Facebook for more information.