Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus are the latest name to be announced to play the city’s flood-hit Old Fire Station, which will reopen next week.

Nine months after being swamped in Storm Desmond, the venue will again be back in business.

The open night next Saturday (Sept 17) will feature local bands The Chadelics and Ogres of Go-Go and entry is free.

And now Hardwicke Circus aim to crown a big year for the group by playing on December 8. In 2016, they have played 83 sets at colleges and schools across the UK.

They have also performed slots at some of the biggest festivals on the UK music calendar, including Glastonbury.

Earlier this week they announced they would be supporting Alabama3 on a tour across the UK and Ireland during November and December.

Jonny Foster, lead singer, said: “We’ve been up and down the roads of this country more times than we could imagine and always look forward to coming back to our home town of Carlisle, where we work on our musical craft.”

The Old Fire Station opened in May last year following a £1 million redevelopment by Carlisle City Council.

It quickly won many friends for its atmosphere and wide-ranging programme, but was forced to close just seven months later.

Dozens of events were postponed or cancelled and the huge repair project has cost in the region of £500,000.

The centre is reopening ahead of schedule and Carlisle city council’s arts officer and Old Fire Station manager, Stephen Dunn, can’t wait.

“I’m thrilled and delighted and really excited,” he said.

“It is great to get going again.”

Next Saturday’s opening is free with entry on a first-come first-served basis. Doors open at 7pm.