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Live Reporting

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  1. Our live coverage across the day

    Martin Lewes

    Reporter

    We've now finished this service of news, travel reports, weather forecasts and and the odd brighter moment from the social networks for today.

    A reminder of the main points:

    We'll do it all again from 08:00 tomorrow. In the meantime, if you have a picture to share or some news you think we should know about, you can email ustweet us or get in touch through our Facebook page.  

    Have a very good evening.

  2. MP seeks urgent meeting over future of threatened post office

    The Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock says he wants an urgent meeting with the Post Office over the future of the Ulverston branch, following today's announcement that it could be relocated and franchised out.

    John Woodcock

    Mr Woodcock said: “I will be asking management for guarantees that Ulverston Post Office will not be closing; we need immediate assurance that there is no question of key services leaving the town and we need to safeguard jobs."  

    There's also been an angry reaction on social networks.

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
  3. Driver freed by fire crew in Barrow crash

    A driver was freed by firefighters after his car crashed on Abbey Road in Barrow this morning.

    It happened soon after 08:00 and the road was closed for some time.

    He was taken to the Furness General Hospital by ambulance but it's thought he suffered only minor injuries.

  4. The eyes of the online correspondents turn towards Copeland

    Martin Lewes

    Reporter

    The writ's yet to be moved in Parliament that will set a date for the by-election in Copeland to replace the Labour MP MP Jamie Reed, who resigned before Christmas, but political writers are already moving about the place and speculating on the outcome.

    Jamie Reed

    Andrew Gimson of Conservative Home took what he calls a "staggeringly expensive" train from London to find Labour voters disenchanted with the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. Humiliation could be in prospect, he suggests.

    Quote Message: It is striking that just now, these profoundly traditional Labour voters respect May more than they respect their own leader. from Andrew Gimson
    Andrew Gimson

    An article in The Conversation, which prides itself on combining academic rigour with journalistic flair, sees the West Cumbrian poll as a key test for the Corbyn leadership.

    Analysis by Ben Williams from the University of Salford says that normally the opposition could be confident of holding a seat at this stage in a Parliament, but he sees a Conservative victory as well on the cards.

    Over at Number Cruncher Politics, Matt Singh isn't so sure: "I’m going to say that a Tory gain is possible, but no more than that."

    The Huffington Post reckons Labour may delay the election until May, hoping for an increased turn-out and working on the row about local health services to ensure support.

  5. Ullswater Yacht Club hoists national honour

    Ullswater Yacht Club has been named club of the year by a national sailing magazine.

    Ullswater Yacht Club

    The award, which will be presented at the London Boat Show on Thursday, follows a roller-coaster year for the club, starting deep in floodwater last winter, winning Cumbria Tourism's event of the year prize in July, holding a series of special events, and with treasurer Rob Watson winning a Royal Yachting Association lifetime achievement award from the Princess Royal in November.

    Commodore Peter Lewis said: “We have had an amazing year. We are delighted to win this award and it is for every club member who has worked so hard over the past year to help UYC and to ensure that we can all continue to sail on our beautiful lake.”

  6. Academy trust 'disappointed' as teachers strike for second time

    The trust running Whitehaven Academy says it's disappointed that a number of teaching staff have taken strike action there today, for the second time in a year. 

    Teachers on picket line

    The union, the NAS - UWT, told BBC Radio Cumbria about half of the school's staff were involved in the action over claims of poor management and working conditions. 

    Jeremy Rowe is the executive principal of the Whitehaven Academy: "Like parents, we're disappointed that we weren't able to avoid this.  We tried but there was no reply from the NAS/UWT."

  7. Travel: Accident slows traffic on Shap Road in Kendal

    BBC Travel

    There's been a two-vehicle accident on the A6 Shap Road in Kendal at the Crescent Green junction.

    You can find the latest travel news here.

  8. Lorry driver denies charge after fatal crash

    A lorry driver will go on trial before a jury later this year after a crash in which a man died.

    Nigel Stevens, 55, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court, where he denied causing the death of David Joseph Mitchell by dangerous driving.

    The charge arises out of a collision last year near Wigton in which Mr Mitchell, 53, of Waverton, who was driving a van, was fatally injured. 

    Mr Stevens, of Greenrigg Cottages, Wigton, was released bail to go on trial on 19 June.

  9. Brewer warns competition may mean moving from home

    Neil Smith

    South Cumbria journalist, BBC Cumbria

    One of Cumbria's leading craft brewers is warning that it may not survive unless it moves, increases output and leaves the "real ale" market.

    Dave Bailey in brewery

    Dave Bailey, the owner of Hardknott Brewery, says it will have to leave Millom and move closer to the M6 because of financial pressures. 

    He says he is having to lower the price of its beers to stay competitive, as more real ale is produced in Cumbria.  

  10. Two sent for crown court hearing after death of woman, 91

    Two people will appear at crown court in Carlisle next month charged with manslaughter following the death of a 91-year-old woman in Cockermouth. 

    Maude White died at Wyndham Hall Caravan Park in the town last May. 

    Jacqueline Fairclough, 42, and 72-year-old Peter Fairclough, both from Wyndham Hall Caravan Park, have been released on bail to a hearing on 6 February. They gave no plea today.

  11. Travel: Delays on A66 as lorry is recovered

    BBC Travel

    Police say recovery work after an accident earlier today is causing delays in the Warcop area.

    You can get the latest travel news here.

  12. Post Office 'seeks partners' for Ulverston branch relocation

    The Post Office looks likely to close its Ulverston branch and relocate it in a shop in the town.

    Ulverston post office

    A statement said it was looking at 37 branches around the country "as part of its efforts to secure its services in communities around the UK for the long term".

    The Post Office says it went through the same process with 93 branches last year, nearly half of which have now relocated into retail stores.

    Roger Gale, a director of the Post Office, said: "With consumer habits changing, and the high cost of maintaining premises in prime high street locations, franchising helps us to keep services where our customers want and need them."

  13. Charities say Cumbria's family debt mirrors national figures

    Charities in Cumbria believe the county is mirroring the national trend, with more households running up record levels of debt. 

    Figures from the Trades Union Congress suggest that the average household owes £13,000 on credit cards, loans and overdrafts. 

    Citizens Advice Bureaux in Cumbria say they are noticing an increase in people getting into debt in the county.