AN arts and crafts event will be taking place in West Cumbria this month. 

The Whitehaven Cultural Fringe Festival will take place at Solway Hall on between Friday, October 25, and Sunday, October 27. 

The UK government and county council have funded the festival which is suitable for all the family. 

There will be an array of activities for people of all ages to come along and enjoy. 

Julieanne Mitchell, who is helping to organise the event, said: "We've been given money to organise a cultural engagement project, which aims to help people in Whitehaven and the surrounding areas to engage with arts and culture. 

"This type of activity impacts on health and wellbeing in general. 

"The vent begins at 7pm on Friday, October 25, until 11pm and then it will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 10pm. 

"We've got an action-packed weekend which is completely free to the public. There are lots of things happening in all of the different rooms at The Solway Hall. 

"There will be Nerf Wars for children and families, 14 different arts and craft sessions including charcoal and water colours classes, a huge staged area where a variety of bands will be performing including brass bands and choirs, and a lot of community stalls with traders selling their goods to the public. 

"The stalls will include everything from food to people selling their own arts and crafts. 

"The event is free, but people do need to register for a ticket to enter the building over the weekend. 

"There will be face painting for children, and the bar will be open for alcoholic drinks but tea and coffee will also be served."

This is the first festival of its kind to happen in Whitehaven, but the organisers hope that it will become an annual event. 

Julieanne and the team hope that families will come along and engage with something new that they have never done before. 

She added: "I would like to thank the funders for all of their support and hope that as many people as possible can attend."