MEANWHILE, Kendal Windows on Art chairwoman Carole Hamby said it had been a good year for the event, adding that she already had 17 new artists in the frame for next year.

Speaking at the awards ceremony at the Brewery Arts Centre, Carole championed all those who had supported and took part in the event and said the initial steps towards a Kendal Arts festival had been made with three music events in addition to literature and visual art workshops.

South Lakeland district councillor and well-known percussionist Phil Lister, who was on hand to present one of the awards, said he was alerted to the event by his daughter who claimed it was "dead good".

He was extremely impressed by the concept and thought SLDC should "nick the idea and use it".

Maybe Phil will be drumming up support for a similar project in his home town of Ulverston?