Over 500 people attended SeaFest last week, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s celebration of the sea and marine wildlife at St Bees beach.

A range of activities took place including: kayaking sessions, community bands performing, storytelling, rockpooling and seafood taster sessions. 

The ever-popular sand sculpture competition was a highlight for many, with 24 sea creatures designed in the sand and around 150 people taking part.

This year first prize went to the Rutherford family for their turtle, followed by the Reeves for their octopus and in third place, the Kerr family, who also created a turtle.

READ MORE: St Bees School offering stalls to local businesses

Lucy Mather, Project Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust and SeaFest organiser said: "It was a fantastic day and brilliant to see so many people out and about in the sunshine, enjoying the fabulous beach at St Bees.

"As well as having lots of fun, this was a great opportunity for people to discover more about the amazing wildlife that lives in and near our Irish Sea coast here in Cumbria and why we should protect these special creatures.

"I’m grateful to Chef Emma Donoghue for the delicious and very popular seafood taster sessions.

"They were an opportunity for us to explain how important it is to fish using selective methods such as creeling or potting and pole-and-line fishing, and to help people explore the delicious sustainable seafood caught right on our doorstep.

"Unlike harmful methods, such as trawling or dredging, sustainable fishing methods don't damage the seabed and catch only the intended species - this allows both small-scale fishermen and our wonderful Irish Sea wildlife to thrive.

"Chatting to families on the day, I think they discovered a lot about the amazing marine life on the Cumbrian coast, and how we can all help to protect it."

Lucy is promoting sustainable fishing practices in west Cumbria, in particular around the Whitehaven area, with the My Local Catch project. 

You can find out more on the Living Sea North West website.