STREET jugglers, fire-eaters, live music and visitors galore brought a Lakes village to a standstill, reports Karen Barden.

Hawkshead was determined to fight back after its annual agricultural show fell victim to the foot-and-mouth crisis and was cancelled.

Instead, the community rallied to stage its own carnival, which filled every corner of the bunting-bedecked picture postcard village.

'We wanted a fair where Edinburgh Festival met Petticoat Lane,' explained one of the organisers, Anne Gallagher.

By 10am, bright sunshine had brought hordes into Hawkshead's square, where Maggie Jones - Blanche from Coronation Street - declared a start to festivities.

She had been press-ganged into the guest appearance by her nephew, Ed Johnson, a partner in the King' s Head pub.

The day had been his idea and, when he called a public meeting to test opinion, he got 40 eager residents.

'We have all suffered this season through foot-and-mouth, with takings down by as much as 70 per cent, but we are a strong community and wanted a village celebration,' he said.

All proceeds from the event were being ploughed back into village organisations, explained Mr Johnson, who added that he was delighted with the day and the backing it had received from locals and visitors alike.

For the full story and competition results, see this week's Gazette.