The latest Cockermouth food festival has been hailed a huge success with record numbers of visitors and spending.

More than 40,000 people enjoyed all the foodie fun on offer throughout the town at the weekend. It is estimated to have brought £1.97m into the area.

Marie Whitehead, of organisers CN Events, said: "It was absolutely brilliant. A lot of Taste Cumbria traders said that last year was a record-breaking year, then this year they ended up taking more on the Saturday than the whole weekend last year.

"The average spend was up by 58 per cent on last year."

And it was not just the stallholders who were benefiting but also businesses throughout the town.

"Sixty-two per cent of people said they would go for a meal or a drink and 42 per cent said they would go shopping," said Marie.

Gareth Williams, of VeeVa on Station Road, said Saturday was the busiest day of the year for the cafe.

Andrew Marshall at Strolling 4 Shoes, on Main Street, said: "It was absolutely awesome, we blew every record. We stayed open until 7.30pm on the Friday and had the biggest trading day the company has ever had since opening 11 years ago. Saturday was also brilliant.

"We had people from all over - Hertfordshire, Scotland, Manchester - as well as lots of West Cumbrians."

Linda Wilkinson, of The Linden Tree, on Main Street, said: "We had a decent weekend. We are right in among what's happening.

"The good thing about it is it showcases the town so visitors will hopefully come back in the future."

Fyne Fish had a stall on Main Street as well as the shop on Station Street. Owner Sharon Heron said: "We had a brilliant weekend."

Catherine Hetherington, of The New Bookshop on Main Street, said: "We had a busy Saturday, which made up for the quiet Friday afternoon when the road was closed.

"It's nice to see so many people in the town, it brings completely different people in."

Alan Smith, leader of Allerdale council and a Cockermouth town councillor, said: “This is a phenomenal outcome for Taste Cumbria and I am delighted the event has had its biggest impact on the local economy so far.

"The town was buzzing all weekend and I’m so pleased the festival was enjoyed by more people than ever, both local and from outside the area.

"The council will continue to support important events like this, and I am looking forward to its return at Christmas.”

Marie said: "We are really excited about our next Taste event in Cockermouth at Christmas and showcasing everything fantastic about Cumbria food and drink."

The Christmas event is on December 9 and 10.