With help from community groups, Egremont Town Council has worked through the pandemic to try to keep locals safe and connected.

Groups organised vouchers, helped with deliveries and provided Christmas hampers to those in need of a little extra help.

More difficult times are ahead, but town council Chairman Neil Ferguson is sure the community can once again rally to meet the needs of each other.

"Egremont is a very open, supportive town," he said. "Everyone is always welcome here, and we all give our time to make sure people are helped when they need it.

"As well as the town council's work, we've had so many residents volunteering and doing great things – more than £13,000 was raised by one group, so they could give out food and essentials to the elderly and vulnerable."

It's not just the friendly atmosphere and community spirit that makes Egremont an attractive place to live and visit, with an abundance of great little shops and independent businesses also on offer.

Marion's Pet Shop, hardware store DeMounters, Egremont Antiques and many more mean the town is an interesting and worthwhile wander.

There’s also the attractive ruined castle to see, and the centre of town is a conservation area with many interesting buildings.

The town council has plans to capitalise on this, and launch a regeneration programme for Egremont.

"The best thing about Egremont is the individuality of the shops – we have so many unique places to buy things, and it makes the town really special," Coun Ferguson said.

"But we also have a few empty shops ready and waiting for new traders to move in, and that's what we're really hoping to do in the near future.

"We're looking to launch a regeneration committee, run by professionals at the county and borough council. This will be funded by the Borderlands (Inclusive Growth) fund.”

He continued: "It would be great to see more traders moving into the empty shops, and then see more tourists following.

"Egremont is a very attractive town with a lot to offer, so we'd definitely like to see more visitors coming through and supporting our shops."

Coun Ferguson says he couldn't be more proud to live in the home of the Crab Fair and World Gurning Championships, and can't thank the town's traders or residents enough for being so amazing.

He said: "We'd like to say a big thank you to all the shop owners, because without their ongoing hard work and dedication, the town wouldn't be anywhere near as good as it is.

"And a massive thank you is needed for all the shops that have stayed open through everything, and who will stay open during this third lockdown. They are playing such an important role, and it's fantastic."

He continued: "It's vital that people shop as locally as possible, and support our shop owners like they've supported all of us.

"Hopefully we can all keep going, and get through the challenges we all face together.

"We're looking forward to seeing residents and visitors having a brilliant time at the Crab Fair in the summer, and a fantastic Christmas light switch-on in November – we'll get through it together."

Egremont Town Council can be found on Facebook, or contacted on 01946 820254.