The mulled wine was flowing in the streets of Ulverston this weekend as the town hosted what is being hailed as the best ever' Dickensian Festival, reports Jennie Dennett.

A count in the car parks prompted organisers to estimate that 25,000 to 30,000 people had packed on to the cobbled streets to enjoy the Christmas market and its themed street entertainment encompassing everything from roasted chestnuts to coconut shies.

"Everywhere was chocka," said Peter Winston, of the organising committee. "It was probably the best ever Dickensian Festival. It's by far the biggest and most important event in Ulverston's festival calendar and has really eclipsed every other festival."

Coach parties came from as far afield as Portsmouth and Middlesbrough for the day while in an inspired bit of marketing organisers encouraged them to return by giving drivers their own caf for the day with tea on tap.

The forecasted snow did not make an appearance to transform it into a true Victorian Christmas card scene but the crowds were not deterred.

Visitors piled on to the synthetic ice rink that made its debut this year and while it was not quite big enough for serene gliding, the children who strapped on the skates had a fine time skidding about.

With the benefit of Lycra thermals underneath the period costumes, it appeared that record numbers of visitors had also got into the spirit of the event and dabbled with being Dickensian for the day.

The winner of the men's fancy dress competition had travelled from Hampshire for the event.

Mr Winston put the success of the festival down to being "something a bit different" and felt it served as a great bit of PR for Ulverston and its traders.

"People go to buy Christmas presents at a shopping centre and it's all the same big brands. You come to Ulverston and it's a totally different experience. It's a novelty."

John Turner, proprietor of Irvings Butchers and one of the many traders to benefit from the crowds generated by the festival, said: "The organisers deserve all the praise they get. They have done a wonderful job and produced a great thing for Ulverston."