A two-day Taste Cumbria Christmas event is coming to Cockermouth this weekend (December 9-10).

Featuring local traders, the festival will take place at both sides of Cocker Bridge, currently closed to traffic, while also using a large section of Market Place.

The event, designed to encourage people to support local businesses, has been organised by Cumberland Council and partners.

Various organisations will partake in the festival, offering activities such as the Kirkgate Arts' Etsy Made in Cumbria event, the United Reformed Church's Arts and Craft Market and the Methodist Church on Lorton Road's Nativity cribs exhibition.

There will be live music and street theatre, stalls selling food, drink and gifts, fairground rides and children's crafts.

Father Christmas will also make an appearance on Saturday (December 9).

While the festival is clustered around Cocker Bridge, the rest of Main Street will remain open to traffic, and Station Street will run one-way as usual.

The middle section of Market Place will be closed off while vehicle access will still be in place down Castlegate to Bitterbeck car park, and along St Helens Street and Kirkgate.

Although the Cocker Bridge remains closed to traffic, a covered walkway is in place which provides pedestrian access into the town.

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “On the build up to the festive period, we worked closely with event organisers and provided free parking in the majority of our Cockermouth car parks on Sunday, November 19, to coincide with the Christmas Lights-Switch On and also on Thursday, November 23 for late night shopping.

“Our two-day Taste Cumbria Christmas event has been organised with partners and will showcase Cockermouth, its businesses and its attractions. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event.

“Please join in and when visiting Cockermouth, make a visit to shops, cafes and restaurants too.”

Cocker Bridge was closed to traffic following the partial collapse of the Old Courthouse building. Although the building is privately owned, the council used emergency powers to protect public safety.

The council spokesperson said: “Although the Old Courthouse is in private ownership, our officers have been working hard to look at how the bridge can be reopened.

"Although there are no confirmed timeframes for when the bridge reopens, we will do all we can to make this happen as soon as possible. In the meantime, visit Cockermouth and show your support to local businesses.”

Several factors, such as its grade II listing and its landlocked location, complicate potential solutions for the Old Courthouse site.

Moreover, the site is in close proximity to the River Cocker, which discharges into the River Derwent, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The consideration of waste flow impact, flood defence protection and the prevention of any pollution by debris has made the decision process a complex one.

Multiple agencies including Natural England, Historic England, the Environment Agency, and Cumberland Council are currently assessing options.