IT was foodie fabulous in one Cumbrian town at the weekend as over 25,000 people flocked for tasty treats and demonstrations by top chefs.

Cockermouth was filled with scrumptious-looking stalls, celebrity cooks and workshops for all ages as the Taste Cumbria Food and Beer Festival returned for the third year.

The sun shone on Saturday as Sunday Brunch star Simon Rimmer cooked up a treat, and visitors revelled in tutored tastings by the likes of master baker Patrick Moore, of More? The Artisan Bakery, Staveley.

Dozens of people poured into the grounds of Dovenby Hall where Simon Rogan, of Cartmel’s L’Enclume, served up the delights that saw him shoot to fame in BBC2’s Great British Menu.

Exhibitors came from all over Cumbria to showcase their goods, including Appleby Bakery, Cartmel Village Shop, Furness Fish and Game, The Chilli Pepper Company, of Cark, Agnes Rose, of Kendal and Hawkshead Relish.

Director of the relish company Maria Whitehead said: “The whole event has been really good – Saturday gave such a nice atmosphere because the weather was so nice, and even on Sunday in the rain people turned out.”

The main attraction on Sunday was Saturday Kitchen front-man James Martin, who wowed his audience with a Cumbrian beef dish and a cheesecake which featured the iconic Grasmere Gingerbread.

Mr Martin said: “Every time I come here I see something different. The lamb and beef I have used today has been off the scale and there are definitely ingredients that I will be taking back to use in my restaurant.

“There is such great produce in Cumbria. We should absolutely be celebrating that.”