Cumbria is famous for its sheep - and a festival full of fibre that celebrates this rural cornerstone is drawing big interest.

Woolfest has already confirmed more than 150 exhibitors for the agricultural craft event, to be staged this summer.

Thousands of visitors from across the world crowded into the Lakeland Livestock Centre at Cockermouth last year for the show, which helped boost the county's hotel trade.

It celebrates all things woolly - and boasts stalls filled with wool and fabric.

Previous years have seen busy workshops and sheep displays.

Jean Wildish, a member of The Wool Clip in Caldbeck - a cooperative of spinners, dyers, knitters and feltmakers - is one of the organisers.

"Woolfest continues to be as popular as ever," she said.

"Applications have easily exceeded the space available and it's quite a balancing act to make sure that we get a good mix of familiar faces and new businesses," she added.

The festival is welcoming 12 new stallholders, together with another 10 in the shared space area, as well as designers and makers who've been regulars at Woolfest for 13 years.

"It all bodes well for another varied and inspiring Woolfest," said Jean.

Last year's emphasis at the event was on tweed and weaving.

This year the different felting techniques and approaches seem to be a recurring theme.

The International Feltmakers Association will be showcasing some of the best work done by its UK members, as well as running demonstrations and opportunities for Woolfest visitors to have a go at wet felting.

"With every wool craft represented, there'll be plenty to see, whether you're a knitter, a weaver, a spinner, a crocheter or your craft is something completely different," added Jean.

Fleeces from Cumbrian sheep are still proving to be much sought-after by spinners both at home and abroad.

Last year some 500 were snapped up by some of the visitors.

2016 saw for the first time Cumbria's three fell sheep breeds together, and this year will see their return, courtesy of Alison O'Neil, a shepherdess who farms near Sedburgh.

They will be accompanied by more than 20 different breeds of sheep, goats, alpacas and rabbits.

"The animals, and especially the daily rare breeds parade in the Main Ring are a highlight for many Woolfest visitors," said Pam Hall, who is a sheep breeder and also a member of The Wool Clip.

"And the raw fleece sale is hugely popular with anyone who spins, as it's such a rare opportunity to buy fleece direct from the farmer."

It will feature an exhibition of work created by members of The Wool Clip as part of three projects in central and eastern Europe in summer 2016.

Several new demonstrators include Steve Wilson, with weaving, and TJ Frog, who carries out button making, as well as a display of shepherd-inspired textiles from recent international craft projects.

Woolfest takes place on Friday 23 and Saturday, June 24 from 10am at Mitchells Lakeland Livestock Centre in Cockermouth.