Arts centre saves Christmas after panto cancelled

Pupils enjoyed a screening of Arthur Christmas at the Kirkgate Centre

An arts centre has kept the Christmas spirit alive for schoolchildren after their annual trip to the pantomime was cancelled.

The show was scrapped after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found in the roof of an the events space which was due to host it.

Pupils at Brook Street Primary School in Carlisle instead enjoyed a special screening of Arthur Christmas at Cockermouth's Kirkgate Centre.

Teacher Debbie Beattie said the school was "very grateful" to the Kirkgate Centre for taking them in.

"The coach-load was very excited, although some did fall asleep with excitement on the way," she said.

"It was brilliant, because it was last minute and trying to find somewhere that can accommodate 50 children and the groups of staff is quite difficult at short notice, so we're really grateful to find the Kirkgate taking us in."

The Kirkgate Centre has extended the offer more widely and others have been taking up the invitation.

The centre hosted a Christmas film screening after the annual pantomime was cancelled

The Kirkgate Centre's general manager Emma Heys said she hoped the children would find the film "a good substitute" for missing out on the pantomime.

"It's a really nice atmosphere," she said.

"They don't have to worry about disturbing other people if they are a little bit giddy."

The events space at Carlisle's Sands Centre closed in September.

The centre announced the following month it was in the process cancelling "the vast majority" of shows scheduled for the rest of the year and up until the end of 2024.