Last updated at 11:35, Friday, 25 May 2012

This year’s Keswick Mountain Festival has been hailed the most successful yet, attracting about 18,000 people.

The five-day spectacular took place last week, featuring an array of adventure activities and high-profile speakers with exhibitors from as far as France and Austria.

Organisers say the total number of visitors who took park in events was a substantial increase on last year’s.

Some of the most popular speakers included Cumbrian Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, back from her record-breaking trek to the South Pole, and mountaineering legend Sir Chris Bonington, who lives near Caldbeck.

Festival director Kate Thomas said: “We were really delighted with how the festival went and by the response of visitors.

“The various talks and presentations were very popular, with the likes of Helen Skelton, Monty Halls, Sir Chris Bonington and Pauline Sanderson proving to be big draws,” added Kate.

“The Keswick Mountain Festival Village also proved to be a big success. There was a huge amount to do and see and the good weekend weather helped attract more people than we’ve ever seen.

“Visitors came from all over the country, and from further afield. I met families who had travelled from Ireland and Portugal.”

First published at 11:27, Friday, 25 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk