A FORTNIGHT of fun is set to unfold in the Lakes starting this weekend, as Windermere Community Festival gets under way.

The annual seven-day event has been specially lengthened to two weeks in a bid to boost the region's economy which has been hard hit by foot-and-mouth.

From tomorrow (Saturday), when the RAF Red Arrows flying display team roars overhead at 1pm, the proceedings will be declared open.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the festival, which will include RAF parachute display team The Falcons and even a flight simulator for budding pilots to test their skills.

The event, put on by the Windermere Lions in conjunction with Windermere Rotary and Windermere, Ambleside and District Round Table, will also include live music, local crafts, sheep dog demonstrations on the Glebe, a grand parade and a firework finale over the lake on Saturday, August 19.

All main events will take place on the Glebe from mid-day.