Jem Famous and Campbell Innes perform for walkers on High Street's summit. Photo: Stewart Smith

Two street artists entertained hillwalkers with a performance on England’s highest High Street.

Jem Famous and Campbell Innes launched the Lakes Alive summer season of outdoor shows with their presentation on the 828m (2,718ft) summit of the eastern Lake District fell.

Passing walkers were entertained yesterday by sickle juggling, a dramatisation of Peter Rabbit’s daring escape from Mr McGregor’s sack and the pair’s show Grow Your Own.

Ambleside-based Mr Famous, a keen fellrunner, said: “It was an extraordinary day of performing, even by our standards. Everyone up on High Street had a big surprise and a lot of fun.

“In fact it was the first show we’ve done where not one person walked past without stopping to watch.

“And the wind on top of the mountain certainly made juggling with the sickle more challenging than usual.”

Jem Famous and shepherd Campbell Innes launched the season at the site and on the day of a traditional shepherds’ meet that was held on Racecourse Hill, the broad plateau at the head of High Street, in the 18th and 19th centuries.

This year’s Lakes Alive will also form part of the Lake District national park’s 60th anniversary celebrations and will include a full programme of outdoor events across Cumbria.

High Street is named after the Roman road leading from Ambleside to Penrith and crosses its summit.