Preparations to fill the streets with hundreds of colourful handmade lanterns for this year's grand finale of the Ulverston Charter Festival are due to start today.

The Charter Festival is brought to a close with a lantern procession in the town centre.

The event attracts more than 400 walkers and most townsfolk filter onto the streets to watch.

In preparation, the Ulverston Lantern Supporters Group is running daily workshops from today until the day of

the procession (Saturday, September 15) so people can create their own lantern.

The workshops are being held at five venues in the town including Lanternhouse, Dale Street Community Centre, Swarthmoor Reading Room, Croftlands Community Centre and The Walkers Hostel.

The main venue is Lanternhouse, where workshops are being held daily from today, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, and from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Two extra workshops are also being held tomorrow and Sunday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Treasurer of the Ulverston Lantern Supporters Group Virginia Walker said: "There will be experts at the workshops to help people make the lanterns.

Those that can't make it to the workshops can buy a lantern-making kit and do it at home.

"It is a fantastic event and, when the procession meets at the end in the town centre, it is just a wonderful sight to see.

"Last year it was reported that 10,000 people out of the 11,000 population came out to see the procession.

Those just watching have to get into the town early to ensure they have got a place, it is so popular."

The workshops cost £2.50 and each person is supplied with a lantern-making kit.

Those attending a workshop at the Honeypot in Dale Street Community Centre will only be charged £1.

To find out more contact Ulverston tourist information centre on 01229-587120.