Bells ring in Christmas at Appleby Railway Station.

Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company hosted the Bell Ringing & Christmas Stalls to mark the start of the season, creating a Christmas market in the traditional waiting room.

Local small businesses and charities were invited to have a free stall and free mulled wine was available for those visiting the station.

Settle Carlisle Community Rail Officer, Karen Morley-Chesworth, said: “The community event attracted more than 100 people, who came to listen to the handbell ringers and visit the stalls.

“One group of people on holiday, staying at Langwathby Station holiday home, saw the festive event promoted on Facebook and decided to take the train to visit Appleby, which they had never been to before. They did some Christmas shopping in the town and at the station, and said they had enjoyed their visit so much, they will be returning again.

“As a Community Rail Partnership, we aim to work with the community along the Settle-Carlisle railway line, connecting communities with their railway and stations. Events like this bring people together and benefit the local community.

“Following the success of this Christmas event, we now plan to make this an annual event that the whole community can look forward to.”

If you would like to join Settle Carlisle Railway CRP volunteers or are a community group who would benefit from working with the Community Rail Partnership, please email karen@settle-carlisle.co.uk