THE tempting aromas of fine artisan food and drink drew the crowds to Ulverston over the bank holiday weekend.

Nettle flavoured gin, smoked sausage, Jamaican hot jerk chicken and freshly-baked breads and cakes were among the offerings at Taste Cumbria Ulverston.

The cobbled town centre streets were full of visitors attending the Cumbrian producers' market, which started on Sunday.

Ulverston's Tricia and Peter Keverne had a great opening festival with their new venture, Coffee Been and Gone.

Their bright green van was a popular stop outside the Coronation Hall, and they had matching green parasols above their tables and seating.

Mrs Keverne said: "It's been a lovely event, it feels great to be in our home town. It has a lovely atmosphere."

Aaron Postlethwaite of South Lakes Brewing Company, in Ulverston, brewed a special Taste Cumbria beer for the festival. The fruity New England Style IPA was sold at BeerWolf in Market Street and was popular with visitors.

Within the Coronation Hall there was the Vintage Village Hall afternoon teas and the Ford Park team hosted children's activities from the venue.

Windermere based husband and wife Jeffrey and Charlie Schooler were at the festival with their traditional Jamaican food.

Speaking when Yardies Jamaican Street Food had just sold out of food, Mrs Schooler said: "It's a brilliant event, people come along and they like our different menu. The hot jerk chicken is always a firm favourite, but people also like to try the curried goat.

"We always go and get our food from a trader we haven't seen before. So I had the amazing Hungarian lentil soup. We support other traders. We make friends at these events."

The Smokery, of HMP Haverigg, was also busy. Morag Hopkins and Mary Tyson had sold out of smoked sausages produced by Bootle butcher Willy Bewley. Smoked mackerel was also a hit.

Mrs Hopkins said: "We have had a fantastic day. Taste Cumbria is a great local event. It's friendly and flexible and they support us by promoting the positive work at the prison."

Event manager Anna Chippendale said: "This was the fifth Taste Cumbria Ulverston and it was really busy. We had some fantastic producers from around the county, alongside the brilliant shops and businesses in Ulverston."