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Live Reporting

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  1. Our live coverage across the day

    We have now finished our news, travel reports, weather forecasts and the odd lighter spark from Cumbria's social networks for today.  Here's a reminder:

    We'll be back from 08:00 tomorrow.  As always, you can contact us if you have a photograph you'd like to share with the county, or if you have news you think we should know.

    You can email us, tweet us or get in touch through our Facebook page. 

    Have a good evening.

  2. Weather: Colder overnight, cloud and sunny spells tomorrow

    BBC Weather

    Clear and dry at first tonight, but clouding over from the south through the second part of the night, perhaps with some patchy drizzle or light snow flurries. Turning much colder, with a widespread frost and the risk of ice in places. Lows of -1C (30F).

    Cloudy to begin with tomorrow, though the skies should gradually brighten through the morning, allowing some sunny spells during the afternoon. Feeling very cold in the brisk southerly wind. Highs of 3C (37F).

    Weather chart
  3. Cumbrian ambulance service says delays at hospitals are increasing

    The trust running Cumbria's ambulance service says it's facing the most difficult operating environment on record.

    The North West Ambulance Service says that the average handover time at hospitals has increased by 10 minutes per case compared to the previous year, with delays of between four and nine hours in some cases.

    They say the number of 999 calls has also risen.

    In a statement, the trust says it strives to reach all patients as quickly as possible.

  4. Cumbrian businesses want Brexit clarity

    Business leaders in Cumbria say they want to be kept informed during the Brexit negotiations.

    Jannett Walker is an employment lawyer, who also has an events management business, and a guest house in Windermere.

    She says leaving the European Union will have a major impact on the county's workforce.

    She said: "We need clarity on what's going to happen in terms of immigration. That's going to be important for a county like Cumbria that we know as soon as possible."

  5. People being asked not to visit wards at Cumbrian hospital

    A Cumbrian hospital has suspended visits to the majority of its wards because of the winter vomiting bug.

    The trust running the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle says it's to minimise the impact of an ongoing norovirus outbreak.

    People are being asked not to visit the hospital until further notice, with the exception of maternity, children's, intensive care and end of life units.

  6. Your pictures: Sunshine in Orton

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Many areas of Cumbria are enjoying some sunshine this afternoon. 

    Here's a cheering shot of the church in Orton earlier today by BBC Weather Watcher "Reggie".

    As always, you can contact us if you have a photograph you'd like to share with the county. You can email ustweet us or get in touch through our Facebook page.

    Orton Church
  7. New university course for Cumbrian paramedics

    Cumbria's ambulance service is trying to recruit more paramedics, with help from a new course at the University of Cumbria.

    BBC Cumbria reported last week that the county's ambulance service has been told by inspectors that it needs to make improvements. One area of concern was recruitment.

    Now, a two-year training course has been developed, which will start in April.

    John Gillespie, the head of clinical education and training, says: "There is a particular issue in north Cumbria purely because of geography. The whole idea of this new course is to help Cumbrians stay in Cumbria."

    Interior of ambulance
  8. Did you see female drivers fighting in Barrow?

    Police are appealing for witnesses following an altercation between two women in Barrow.

    The incident happened between 08:15 and 08:30 on Tuesday 24 January on Cedar Road. 

    Both women stopped their cars (a black Volvo and a blue Ford Galaxy) and then had a verbal and physical altercation in the street.

     One of them ended up with an eye injury.

    Police are particularly interested in speaking to the male owner of a silver Vauxhall Zafira who may have witnessed this incident.

  9. Bird flu at north Lancashire farm 'big worry' for poultry industry

    Bird flu has been confirmed in a flock of around 10,000 pheasants in north Lancashire.

    The H5N8 strain was found at Hy-Fly Game Hatcheries Ltd in Preesall and a three kilometre protection zone has been set up.

    An investigation is now underway to find the source and the birds are going to be culled. Health officials say there's no risk to human health or food safety.

    Pheasant
    Quote Message: This is going to cause huge concern to farmers across the country. The nature of having to keep poultry indoors and for a long period of time, which is what is happening in this case now." from Ben Briggs Farmer's Guardian
    Ben BriggsFarmer's Guardian
  10. Focus on Cumbria's only breeding seal colony

    The wardens looking after Cumbria's only breeding seal colony are studying the lives of the females that give birth.

    The first grey seals were born at South Walney Nature Reserve in 2015, and there were more arrivals last year.

    The Cumbria Wildlife Trust has installed a webcam to view the colony and it's hoped a study of the seals' individual markings could show whether mothers are returning to give birth and how far they travel during the year. 

    Seals on beach
  11. Man sentenced after £37,000 benefit fraud

    A Carlisle man who fraudulently claimed £37,000 in benefits has been given a suspended jail sentence.

    Andrew Sullivan, 35 of Ellesmere Way, had originally made legitimate claims, but failed to tell the authorities when he inherited money.

    Earlier this month Sullivan pleaded guilty to claiming £37,000 over four years to which he was not entitled.

    Today, at Carlisle Crown Court, he was given a 21 month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

  12. Calls for Brexit negotiators to keep businesses informed

    A Cumbrian business leader says the government must keep business leaders informed about the progress being made during the Brexit negotiations.

    Pressure is growing on ministers to set out the plan in a White Paper.

    Several Conservative MPs have backed Labour calls following yesterday's Supreme Court ruling that Theresa May must consult Parliament before triggering Article 50, the formal process for leaving the EU.

    Rob Johnston, the chief executive of the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce says the needs of businesses must be considered during negotiations.

  13. Weather: Sunny spells this afternoon, colder overnight

    BBC Weather

    Sunny spells this afternoon. It will be breezy but will remain dry and feel rather mild. Highs of 8C (46F).

    Clear and dry at first tonight, but clouding over from the south through the second part of the night, perhaps with some patchy drizzle or light snow flurries. 

    Turning much colder with a widespread frost and the risk of ice in places. Lows of -1C (30F).

    See the details for your area here.

    Weather chart
  14. Your pictures: Spring is on the way!

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Thanks to 'Cumbrian Stargazer', one of the BBC Weather Watchers, for this gorgeous photo taken in Haile, near Egremont.

    As always, you can contact us if you have a photograph you'd like to share with the county. 

    You can email ustweet us or get in touch through our Facebook page.

    Snowdrops
  15. New university course for paramedics in Cumbria

    It's hoped that Cumbria will have a steady supply of paramedics thanks to a new course at the university.

    The University of Cumbria and the North West Ambulance Service have developed a two-year training course that will start in April.

    The ambulance service says that every student who qualifies will be guaranteed a job interview.

    Ambulance
  16. Road closure in Barrow after fire to be reviewed

    Neil Smith

    South Cumbria journalist, BBC Cumbria

    The closure of a section of Abbey Road in Barrow will be reviewed today.

    The stretch running past the former club, the House of Lords, has been closed since the building was damaged by fire two weeks ago.

    The site has now been examined by structural engineers.

    Road closure sign