An award-winning poet has helped a group of Copeland over-60s produce a new book on the local area.

French-born poet Pascale Petit held workshops at Florence Arts Centre with eight local writers to produce 'Between Fell and Sea, writing from the West Lakes residency'.

From late August to early October, Pascale lived in a caravan at St Bees and explored the Lake District for inspiration with her group.

During the residency at Florence, she guided the participants through different forms of writing workshops, giving out constructive criticism.

"Cumbria’s cultural heritage and natural beauty, from the world-famous William Wordsworth and the lakes to the less recognised painter Percy Kelly and Cumbrian west coast, have shaped the writing produced by Pascale and the participants," said Tonia Lu, from Elements Festival, which held events across Cumbria in October to celebrate age and diversity.

The festival helped bring together the eight over-60 year-old writers for the residency. The writers were Hazel Block, Eileen Dixon, Pauline Herbert, David Ivey, Sylvia Moon, Dianne Gasser, Lesley Munro, Rachel Isherwood.

The book, which is a selection of new poems and short stories, also includes new work by Pascale. Florence Arts Centre has published the book which covers the county's heritage and culture.

Mrs Lu added: "The project was only made possible through the generosity of our partners. We would like to thank Florence Arts Centre and particularly Jenni Payne, Simon Walker, Paul McMillan and Craig Carruthers, who have helped the project from its very beginning."

Pascale, who visited Egremont library in October, was born in Paris, grew up in France and Wales and lives in Cornwall. She has published six poetry collections with her sixth - Fauverie - shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. A portfolio of poems from this book won the 2013 Manchester Poetry Prize.

She has also received six awards from Arts Council England and her poems have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4. As an artist she held numerous exhibitions, including on the London Underground and in the Natural History Museum.

The book, which costs £3.50, is now available from the arts centre as well as at bookshops in Whitehaven and Cockermouth. For details of stockists visit www.florenceartscentre.com