Cockermouth traders are celebrating the start of festivites and the end ...looking forward to the start of the festivities and the end of delayed roadworks which have been impacting on businesses.

There is lots planned and the fun kicks off on Sunday, with the Christmas lights switch on.

The following day sees the end of a road closure which has meant the main route into town has been closed for nearly a month.

A section of Lamplugh Road was closed on October 22 for United Utilities to do some pipeline work. It was hoped that it would be completed in about two weeks but ended up taking a further fortnight.

A spokesman said: "We’re still on track to finish by 19 November."

Trade has been affected throughout the town, said Julie Laidlow, town councillor and owner of Firns Home Hardware on Station Street.

"It's had a very big impact on everyone, people have been avoiding the town centre, it's very disheartening."

Mark Wise, of Mitchell's Auction Company, said turnover had been down about 30 per cent as a result of the road being closed.

"It's not easy to get in and out of town, people start to go elsewhere," said Mr Wise.

But traders have been working hard to ensure there will be as much sparkle as possible this Christmas.

They have joined festive forces and organised a late-night shopping event and a huge Christmas hamper prize draw which will result in one lucky person winning more than £1,500 worth of local goods.

The Spirit of Christmas late night opening event takes place on Thursday, November 22, with shops open until 8pm.

Organiser Andrew Marshall, of Strolling 4 Shoes, said: "I think that Cockermouth is collectively just about the finest department store that you’d find in the whole of Britain.

"Our late night experience is a chance for people to browse for ideas and have fun at the end of what might have been a stressful day.”

He is grateful to everyone that has donated to the free prize draw which will see one winner scooping lots of goodies including gifts, meal and fashion vouchers, a round of drinks and free MOT test!

Town centre manager Joe Broomfield said: "The competition highlights that Cockermouth offers a huge range of goods and services.

"During the Spirit of Christmas, Allerdale is providing free parking from 5pm at all its car parks, apart from Fairfield (Sainsburys)"

Everyone visiting the participating businesses will be given free entry into the draw which takes place on December 19.

Plans are also under way for the lantern parade on Friday, November 30, and Taste Cumbria Christmas market on December 8 and 9. Two lantern workshops will be held (details at www.timesandstar.co.uk)

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We’re sorry it is taking longer than we originally expected to complete the work on Lamplugh Road.

"We are laying some connections to existing pipework, some of which we found to be a non-standard size, which has meant getting special fittings made."