A popular bank holiday weekend event which debuted at Whitehaven Harbour in 2022 will return this spring. 

Last year’s very successful Leyland National 50 bus event in Whitehaven is returning by popular demand.

The event which included dozens of vintage Leyland buses gathering on the harbour, will return on the last weekend of April this year with a local market and fairground rides.

Organisers hope to repeat the popular bus trips around the town and have a few new ideas which they will reveal in due course.

Mike Morton, one of the organisers said: ‘We created the original event to celebrate 50 years of the iconic, ground-breaking Leyland National bus which was assembled at a purpose-built factory, here in West Cumbria.

"The first question most people asked after LN50 was, will you be running it again in 2023. Experience tells me there will always be a new audience.”

John Baker, CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners said: "We're delighted to welcome the event back, and to have the opportunity to build on the inaugural one, for which there are already some exciting new ideas."

Workington Transport Heritage, Whitehaven Town Council, the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, Copeland Borough Council and The Beacon Museum have helped to make the event possible. 

READ MORE: Leyland Bus' first passenger explains inaugural journey as a child

The organisers have also thanked Lakes College who are allowing their car park to be used for the event and Stobart for using their premises for the line-up. 

There will be a 70s theme to this year’s event with music and cars from that era on the Sugar Tongue. 

There will be free bus rides from the harbour to Lillyhall and then back. This year may see some open top buses. 

In The Beacon there will be an exhibition with talks and a Q and A session with people involved in the story of the Leyland National. 

READ MORE: Leyland National 50 event to showcase Whitehaven's transport heritage