THE much-loved Winter Droving Festival will be returning to Penrith on October 26, it has been announced.

The annual event, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, is now in its 13th year and is celebrated with music, masquerade, and festivities, rounded off with the famous torchlit procession.

Earlier this year, the future of the festival was cast into doubt as the organisers, Eden Arts, faced a £15,000 shortfall with the free event's costs outweighing the income.

Organisers attributed the rising cost 'partly due to the growing scale of it due to its success, and partly due to the fact that everything just costs more'.

To continue the ever-growingly popular event, which is run by the charity, a fundraising campaign took shape, raking in almost £9,000.

As well as the festivities, the organisers also revealed that they are currently seeking traders for Winter Droving's market and volunteers for the event.

The Winter Droving has also made an open call for artists, musicians, bands and performers to join in the spirit of the occasion.

In addition, individuals who wish to support the Winter Droving going ahead can do so by playing the Penrith Lottery or donating to Eden Arts via their website.