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Live Reporting

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  1. Our live coverage across the day

    That's it from BBC Cumbria Live for this week.  

    We hope you've enjoyed the first few days of this new service, and we'll be back again from 08:00 on Monday. 

    You can still send comments or pictures in by email, tweet us @BBC_Cumbria or join our Facebook page.

    Have a good weekend.  

  2. Barrow MP: We should extend air strikes to Syria

    Barrow and Furness Labour MP John Woodcock says British air strikes should be extended to the area of the so-called Islamic State in Syria.

    John Woodcock MP

    Mr Woodock was speaking on BBC Radio Cumbria on the News Hour this evening.  

    His position is opposed to that of the party leader Jeremy Corbyn, but Mr Woodcock said MPs should have a free vote in the House of Commons.

    He said it was too early to start demanding that Mr Corbyn resign.

  3. Teacher sentenced for swimming pool exposure

    A teacher from near Carlisle has been sentenced to a 40-day rehabilitation order after a mother twice saw him standing naked in a swimming pool changing room.  

    Alisdair John Wilson, 27, from Tribune Drive in Houghton, had denied indecently exposing himself at Carlisle's James Street pool on 1 April.  

    A jury found him guilty after a trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He'll also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

  4. New flood warnings for Cumbrian coast

    The Environment Agency says there'll be a risk of flooding at high tides tonight and tomorrow around the Cumbrian coast.

    The agency says the highest tides of the month, combined with large waves and high winds, could lead to flooding of low-lying areas and roads.

    The tide's in around midnight tonight, and again in the early afternoon tomorrow. 

  5. Carlisle aid convoy leaves for Calais

    A lorry and a convoy of cars left Carlisle this lunchtime loaded with aid for migrants camping near Calais.

    The lorry from Carlisle loaded with goods

    Volunteers from across the county collected clothes, food, sleeping bags and tents.

    Up to 6,000 migrants are thought to be camped in the area.

    BBC reporters are travelling with the convoy and will be reporting from Calais on Monday.

  6. Travel: M6 and Kendal still congested

    BBC Travel

    There's still congestion both ways on the M6 after the accident earlier today.  The crash was between junctions 36 and 27 northbound. The southbound carriageway has one lane closed by a broken-down vehicle in the same area.

    Traffic diverted from the M6 northbound is causing congestion on the A6 through Kendal.

  7. Manager 'disgruntled' as player joins Barrow

    BBC Sport

    Lincoln City player Liam Hearn's loan move to Barrow has "disgruntled" the Lincolnshire club's manager, Chris Moyses.

    Chris Moyses

    Hearn is one of two players recruited by the new Barrow manager Paul Cox ahead of his first game in charge at Woking tomorrow.

    Chris Moyses told BBC Radio Cumbria he'd been careful how the forward had been used since he returned from injury, and he couldn't understand why Hearn might feel he wasn't getting enough game time.

    "I feel pretty disgruntled at the moment. I didn't see that one coming and it hurts me to a degree."

  8. M6 crash: Two badly hurt

    Two drivers were seriously injured in a crash that blocked the M6 near Kendal this afternoon, police have confirmed.

    The northbound carriageway has just reopened, but congestion in Kendal is expected to take some time to clear after motorway traffic was diverted through the town on the A6.

    Police are appealing for witnesses.

  9. BreakingM6 closed by three-car collision

    The M6 is closed northbound after three cars were involved in a collision between junctions 36 and 37 near Kendal.

    Traffic's being diverted through central Kendal and to junction 39 on the A6, and serious congestion's expected in the town.

    At one point the southbound carriageway was closed as well to allow an air ambulance to land.

    You can get the latest updates here.

  10. Travel: M6 crash clogs up Kendal

    BBC Travel

    There are reports of travel delays through Kendal after a crash closed the M6 northbound near the town.

    Northbound traffic is currently diverted along the A6 from junction 36 to junction 39.  Southbound traffic on the M6 is also being delayed in the same area.  One lane is closed by a broken-down vehicle

  11. Lakes beauty spot in line for £300,000 facelift

    A £300,000 facelift for a popular area of the Lake District has been given the final go-ahead.

    Artists impression of Waterhead improvements

    The money will be spent at Waterhead at the northern end of Windermere, where hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive on lake cruisers every year.

    Flowerbeds will be rebuilt with dry-stone walls, seating and cycle racks installed.

    South Lakeland council's cabinet has agreed to provide £280,000 towards the cost of work, which should start in January.

  12. Alarm as 'squirrel pox' spreads in Grasmere

    National Trust staff say an outbreak of a virus is putting the red squirrel population in Grasmere at risk.

    Red Squirrel

    The pox virus is carried by grey squirrels, although they are not affected by it. This is believed to be why the two species cannot coexist.

    The trust says at least seven cases have been confirmed.  

    They've appealed for the public to be vigilant, and say measures to prevent greys moving into the area will be stepped up.

  13. Travel: Crash shuts M6 near Kendal

    BBC Travel

    M6 Cumbria - the M6 is closed and there's queuing traffic northbound between J36, A590 (Kirkby Lonsdale) and J37, A684 (Kendal), because of a serious accident involving three cars. 

    You can get the latest travel updates here. 

  14. Copeland Mayor shocked by Cumbria poverty

    Cumbria's first elected mayor says he's been shocked to learn about the extent of poverty in parts of the county.

    Mike Starkie

    Mike Starkie was elected as mayor of Copeland in a three-way fight earlier this year.

    Speaking to Mike Zeller on BBC Radio Cumbria, Mr Starkie said the scale and scope of the role had taken him by surprise, and he hadn't been aware of how difficult some people were finding it to make ends meet.

    "I was pretty much oblivious to how bad it was. I went to some sessions at Mirehouse and I got a real shock that there was such deprivation, and such struggle, so close to my own doorstep."

    You can hear the full interview here.

  15. Midwife accused of putting mother and baby at risk

    A midwife from Barrow's hospital broke down in tears as a hearing was told how her poor care put a mother and unborn baby at risk. 

    Catherine McCullough has admitted a series of failings at the Nursing and Midwifery Council over the delivery at Furness General Hospital in September 2013. 

    The hospital was the subject of the Kirkup report into maternity failings, which covers the period up to September 2013

    While Ms McCullough admits a large number of the charges, including failing to recognise the unborn baby's falling heart rate, making inadequate notes and not ensuring doctors were present for the birth, she denies others concerned with record keeping. The hearing continues.

  16. Power lines come down to clear valley views

    More than a mile of overhead power lines in a remote Lakeland valley is being put underground.

    Machine taking down power lines

    Electricity North West is spending £325,000 taking down the poles and laying the cables.

    The work is part of an eight-year programme paid for by the regulator, Ofgem.  By the time it's complete 23 miles (37km) of power lines will have been buried out of sight.

    The conservation group Friends of the Lake District works with the company. Amanda McClearly from the group said overhead wires could stand out in the open landscape. Electricity North West says there's an added benefit because the lines are less vulnerable in storms.

  17. Councils claim government is 'hiding cuts'

    After it emerged Cumbrian councils’ reserves have gone up by about £24m in total in the last four years, the government said civic leaders councils should be using this money to protect services.

    However the councils say the government is trying to divert attention from the cuts it’s making to local authorities. 

    They say the reserves are needed in case of sudden extra costs such as flooding.

    On-call fire services and care for the elderly and disabled are currently facing cutbacks in Cumbria as a result of reduced local government funding.  

    You can see more on this on Sunday Politics on BBC One at 11:00 on Sunday or catch up here.

  18. Minister's point councils at their 'rainy day' reserves

    Bob Cooper

    Political reporter, BBC Cumbria

    Cumbrian councils’ reserves have gone up by about £24m in total in the last four years, according to government figures.

    County Hall, Kendal

    The county and six districts now have just over £166m in what are called “non-ringfenced” reserves – money that isn’t restricted to particular areas of spending.

    You can see more on this on Sunday Politics on BBC One at 11:00 on Sunday or catch up here.

  19. Weather: Heavy rain, getting much colder

    BBC Weather

    A few bright spells are possible ahead of a band of rain pushing down from the north west. 

    Behind it much colder air will move in with the risk of showers, wintry over the hills. Maximum temperature 12C (54F) with a strong and gusty southwest wind.  

    Check the forecast where you are.

  20. Headlines so far: Solway latest target for tide power group, and a mixed response to Black Friday

    -  A tidal energy project could link Scotland and West Cumbria

    - Barrow shoppers queue early for Black Friday bargains, but Carlisle's much quieter

    - In sport, Barrow's new boss borrows two players for his first game in charge

  21. Sports gongs to be handed out tonight

    The 2015 Cumbria Sport Awards are being held at Ambleside's Low Wood Hotel tonight. 

    The awards recognise not only the success of the county's sports men and women, but also the coaches, helpers and volunteers.

    Mike Zeller

    The event's hosted by BBC Radio Cumbria's own Mike Zeller.

  22. Solway tide power plan would link nations

    Plans have been drawn up for a multimillion-pound tidal energy project which would link the south-west of Scotland with Cumbria.

    Robin Rigg wind farm

    The Solway Firth's already home to the giant Robin Rigg wind farm

    North West Energy Squared, the group behind the tidal power idea, suggested similar schemes across the Duddon estuary and Morecambe Bay earlier this year.  The barrages would also carry new roads, cutting journey times.

    Previous similar schemes have always run into major environmental objections. The firth, estuaries and Morecambe Bay are enormously important to wildlife.

  23. Barrow's new boss shapes team for first game

    BBC Sport

    Barrow manager Paul Cox managed to complete a couple of deals before yesterday's loan deadline. 

    Steve Rigg

    Carlisle United's Steven Rigg and Lincoln City forward Liam have joined on loan until January. 

    The new Barrow boss takes charge of the Bluebirds for the first time tomorrow for the visit of Woking in the National League.

  24. Flood warnings for high tide on Cumbria coast

    Flood alerts have been issued for the Cumbria coast at Morecambe Bay and between Silloth and St Bees.

    The Environment Agency's issued the warnings because of high tides and a forecast of high winds at lunchtime.

  25. Toddler death: Pathologists clash over cause

    Ben Maeder

    Journalist, BBC Radio Cumbria

    Medical experts have disagreed over whether Poppi Worthington, the 13-month-old girl who died suddenly in Barrow at the end of 2012, suffered a sexual assault before death. 

    Liverpool family court has heard from three medical experts who've looked at the medical evidence for Poppi's death. 

    Dr Alison Armour carried out the post-mortem examination on the toddler and came to the conclusion that she'd suffered a sexual assault before death, a conclusion she stuck to under cross examination. 

    That was questioned by forensic pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary. He says there's not enough evidence for assault and says the possibility of a natural death was too quickly discounted by Dr Armour. 

    He could not, though, offer conclusive explanations for all of Poppi's injuries. The hearing was adjourned until Monday.

  26. Black Friday shoppers queue from 01:00

    BBC Radio Cumbria reporters

    Shoppers started queueing in Barrow in the small hours for Black Friday discounts.

    Shoppers queueing in dark

    But in Carlisle, BBC Radio Cumbria staff reported a more measured response.

    In Barrow's Tesco superstore, shoppers reported saving hundreds of pounds on electrical goods such as televisions.

    The idea of a one-day sale started in America, where shops tried to get consumers buying again for Christmas after the public holiday of  Thanksgiving.

  27. Weather: If you're heading for the hills

    BBC Weather

    Hillwalker

    If you're planning a walk in the Lake District, here's the fell forecast: 

    -Temperatures at 3000 feet: Up to 4C 

    -Winds: Southwesterly gale or severe gales, gusts 65mph, veering northwesterly by the end of the day 

    -Cloud: Extensive cloud around 1600 feet (500m) with patches on western slopes down to 650 feet (200m) 

    -Visibility: Mostly poor in drizzle, rain and hill fog 

    - Freezing level: Above the tops

  28. Weather: Rain, then colder later

    BBC Weather

    It'll be generally cloudy, with outbreaks of patchy light rain and drizzle at times. A band of rain, locally heavy and squally will move southeast during the afternoon.  It'll become colder with showers following on, turning wintry over the Pennines.  

    Weather graphic

    Check the forecast where you are.

  29. Good morning. Welcome to our live coverage

    Martin Lewes

    Reporter

    Hello and welcome to BBC Cumbria Live. We'll be with you until 18:00 bringing you all the news, sport, weather and travel from across the county.  

    If you'd like us to feature your comments or pictures, send them to us by email, tweet us @BBC_Cumbria or join our Facebook page.