Live music, colourful characters and fun for all the family - Upperby Gala proved to be a smash hit as it celebrated its 30th birthday.

An estimated 5,000 people turned out for the annual event at Carlisle's Hammonds' Pond today (Monday) with a Cumbrian singing sensation providing some star quality.

The Voice finalist Jolan Gidney-Craigen, from Moor Row, near Whitehaven, wowed the audience with a superb set and was the headline act at this year's event.

Joining him on the stage was a selection of local singers such as Emily Reay, from Carlisle, and acoustic act Alexander Liam Brown.

And Jolan admitted to the News & Star that after a whirlwind few months following his appearance on the TV talent show it was nice to perform at the gala.

"This is the first time I've really performed in Carlisle so I've been really excited," he said.

"This is a really chilled out event. The Whitehaven shows have been manic so this is nice and different."

Aside from the stunning live music there was plenty to keep everyone happy. Children's entertainers, bouncy castles, fun fair activities and food stalls meant there was something for all ages.

The event is organised every year by Carlisle City Council.

Val Haresign, the council's events co-ordinator, said: "It's been very successful and we think there's been about 5,000 people here.

"It's always so popular because it has been going so long it's a tradition. It used to be just people from this community who came but now people come from all over the district."

Mustafa Ceylan, who lives in the Newtown Road area of Carlisle, was at the event for the first time with his daughter Ayla, two.

He said: "We seen it advertised and thought it would be good to go along to. My colleagues at work have been before and they suggested it to me. It's really fun for the family and we come to the park all the time."

Nicole White, from Currock, took along her three-year-old daughter Amelia McLaughlin.

"We come every year because I just like seeing the kids smile. Everything is really good here. The food is amazing and seeing the children have fun is all worth it" she said.