You're locked in a room and have just 60 minutes to get out.....welcome to the escape rooms.

The new craze, where teams of up to six people have up to an hour to solve puzzles and find clues to unlock the room, has arrived in Carlisle.

Simon Watson has opened the Red Herring Escape Rooms in Atlas Works in Denton Holme.

Simon, a 47-year-old electrician, said he was lacking creativity in his life and decided to give the escape rooms a go.

He has one room open at the moment - with another two being planned for the future.

He said: "Carlisle is crying out for something new and fresh and so I decided to bring an escape room to the city.

"The room I've opened so far is the Sherlock room where participants play the part of Doctor Watson.

"They solve clues using a mix of cognitive puzzles, teamwork and physical tasks to get out and open the locks.

"Of course there are off shoots and red herrings along the way - hence the name of the business.

"The room also has a number of Sherlock props."

Simon says everyone who has tried the room so far has been "enthused" by it.

"They come out feeling they've been on a journey in a time zone. That it's been an experience and that's what it's all about."

The room is a Victorian setting.

Simon said: "There are smells and sounds associated with that era. There are some hidden blue tooth speakers in the room that play sounds from a Victorian street scene.

"There are noises from horses hooves and sounds of people chatting at windows.

"The room is delibarately darkened to make it more atmospheric."

Simon says the experience is perfect for work colleagues wanting to do some team building.

He said: "I've got plans to open two other rooms - a war room and an asylum. I hope the war room will open next month and the asylum in November or December."

The escape rooms are accessed in the East Block of Atlas Works via Westmorland Street. The experience is suitable for people aged 14 and over. Bookings can be made online at https://www.redherringescaperooms.co.uk/

Total Enigma Ltd also has some escape rooms at Laser Quest in Paton House, near the Viaduct in Carlisle.

They include a Magical Chamber. An asylum room is due to open in November and a third room at a point in the future.