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Live Reporting

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  1. Our live coverage throughout the day

    Belinda Artingstoll

    BBC Cumbria Live

    We've now finished posting news, weather forecasts and other items from around the county for today. Here's a reminder:

    We'll be back to do it again tomorrow from 08:00. As always, if you have a photograph you'd like to share or you have news you think we should know, you can email ustweet us or get in touch through our Facebook page.

  2. Dozens rescue couple lost on Scafell Pike

    BBC Radio Cumbria

    More than 70 mountain rescue team members were involved in a 12-hour search for a couple lost on Scafell Pike on Tuesday night.

    Chris Gillyan from Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, who led the search, said the conditions were so severe at one point the operation had to be suspended because rescuers "couldn't stand up in the driving rain".

    The couple were extremely cold but otherwise unhurt, the rescue service said.

    In all, the operation involved seven mountain rescue teams, six search dogs and a coastguard helicopter. 

    Keswick Mountain Rescue Team
  3. Weather: Storm Doris heads for Cumbria overnight

    BBC Weather

    We're expecting strong winds, heavy rain and snow overnight, and into tomorrow.

    Gusts of 50-60mph and up to 70mph on coasts and hills. Travel could be disrupted and some damage to trees and buildings is also possible.

    Snow is expected over high ground. Accumulations of 3-6cm are likely above 200m (650ft) with 10cm or more above 300m (980 ft). At low levels, 1-3cm in places.

    See the details of your area here.

    Weather chart
  4. Man sentenced over indecent images of children

    A north Cumbrian man, who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children over six years, has been sentenced.

    Carlisle Crown Court heard 42-year-old David Nowak had almost 700 photographs and videos on a laptop and a hard drive. 

    Nowak, of Jollybeard Gate in Alston, admitted three charges of making indecent photographs of children, and one possession offence.

    He was given a 36-month community order and must sign the sex offenders' register for five years.

  5. The facts about Copeland ahead of tomorrow's by-election

    Bob Cooper

    Political reporter, BBC Cumbria

    The home of England's highest mountain and deepest lake... and other interesting facts about Copeland - the place politicians are currently scrapping over.

    View more on facebook

    There's a full list of candidates in the by-election here: http://bbc.in/2mc8Nz6

  6. Work to start on battery power storage facility

    The company behind a plan to create one of the world's largest battery-power storage facilities says work will start on site in Barrow next month.

    The former Roosecote Power Station will be redeveloped by Centrica to top-up demand for electricity during periods of high demand. 

    The 49MW stored in the batteries will be able to kick in within a second at times of peak demand and able to power about 50,000 homes, the company said.

    Diagram of new plant
  7. Prime Minister enters hospital petition row

    BBC Radio Cumbria

    Theresa May has been drawn into the row over a petition on the West Cumberland Hospital.

    Yesterday, a campaign group took a petition signed by 30,000 people to Downing Street.

    During Prime Minister's Questions earlier, Labour MP for Bolton South East, Yasmin Quereshi, said the group was not allowed to take it to Number 10 itself. 

    The Prime Minister accused the MP of getting her facts wrong: "The petition was accepted by Number 10 yesterday so I suggest to the honourable lady that she considers what she said in her question." 

    Number 10
  8. Your pictures: Windy west Cumbria

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Thank you to Robin, one of our BBC Weather Watchers, for this photo taken near Allonby earlier today.

    If you have a photograph you'd like to share, you can email ustweet us or get in touch through our Facebook page.

    Choppy water and rocks
  9. Last day of campaigning in Copeland by-election

    The seven candidates hoping to become Cumbria's newest MP are in the final hours of campaigning ahead of tomorrow's Copeland by-election.

    It was triggered by the resignation of Labour's Jamie Reed last month. There's also a by-election in Stoke.

    Head of politics at University of Liverpool, Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg, said: "Clearly the Labour Party has the most to lose in both of these places. These have been Labour seats for a very long time and it's very unusual for the main opposition party to lose a by-election."

    The polls open at 07:00 tomorrow.

    Ballot box
  10. Cumbria Police council tax share to rise

    Cumbria Police's share of the council tax bill is to go up by 1.91%. 

    The county's Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall, says he understands any tax increase is "unwelcome", but it will mean the force will have enough funding to protect officer numbers over the next year.

    It'll mean an increase of £4.14 a year for band D properties.

    Cumbria Police logo
  11. Appeal to trace suspected shoplifter

    Cumbria Police are trying to trace a man (pictured below) in connection with alleged shoplifting offences in the Kendal area, including one incident at Currys PC World in Kendal on 17 February.

    Anyone with any information is asked to contact police.

    Man in shop
  12. Plasma trial success for Great North Air Ambulance

    Three people probably would have died without a new blood plasma treatment which is now being extended, an air ambulance has said. 

    Since May 2016, one of the Great North Air Ambulance Service's two helicopters has been using plasma when treating patients with blood. 

    The charity said a review of five months data has proved a success so will now also use it on both aircraft. Plasma helps form blood clots and stop bleeding.

    The Great North Air Ambulance team
    Quote Message: We're delighted to see evidence that using fresh frozen plasma alongside red blood cell transfusions, when stabilising patients with life threatening injuries, has had such a positive impact." from Dr Rachel Hawes Aircrew doctor
    Dr Rachel HawesAircrew doctor
    The bags used in transfusions contain a mixture of blood and plasma

    The air ambulance said three of the 36 people who were given the plasma and blood mixture ended up being "unexpected survivors" thanks to the new treatment.

    The plasma and blood mixture is delivered daily to the air ambulance by Northumbria Blood Bikes and Blood Bikes Cumbria, with support from the Henry Surtees Foundation, from the blood laboratories at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

  13. Weather: Possible showers later, very windy and wet overnight

    BBC Weather

    There's the risk of one or two showers creeping into parts of Cumbria this afternoon. Feeling less mild with highs of 8C (46F).

    A band of heavy and persistent rain will track up towards the county through this evening and overnight. The rain turning to snow across the highest of ground, winds will be strong and gusty. Lows of 2C (36F).

    There are weather warnings in place overnight for wind and snow - See the details for your area here.

    Weather chart
  14. Cumbrian badminton player fears for future of her sport

    An Olympic badminton player from Cumbria says she fears for the future of her sport following a decision to cut funding.

    Badminton is one of seven sports to have lost appeals against UK Sport funding cuts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic cycle.  

    Lauren Smith from Carlisle said she might have to get a part-time job or find sponsorship to continue playing for the British team.

    Badminton racket and shuttlecock
    Quote Message: Given the strength of evidence we were able to present to justify investment, we cannot believe UK Sport has concluded they should stand by their decision and award zero funding to our GB programme" from GB Badminton
    GB Badminton
  15. Cumbrian student nurse up for top award

    John Bowness

    BBC Radio Cumbria reporter

    A student nurse in Cumbria is one of five finalists being considered for one of the profession's top awards.

    Zoe Butler, who's in her third year at the University of Cumbria, is shortlisted for her work raising awareness about mental health issues among school children.

    The winner of the Andrew Parker Student Nurse award will be announced at a ceremony in London in May.

    Zoe Butler
  16. Weather warnings in Cumbria tomorrow

    BBC Weather

    Strong winds and snow are expected to affect parts of Cumbria tomorrow.

    An amber warning for winds will be in place for most of tomorrow. Gusts of up to 80mph are expected.

    Any snow is likely to fall on higher ground only. Heavy rain is also likely tomorrow.

    See here for more details on weather warnings for Cumbria.

    Amber warning sign
  17. Fears for Cumbria's farms after Brexit

    There are fears Cumbria's farmers could suffer if restrictions are placed on migrant workers after the UK leaves the EU.

    The Country Land and Business Association will tell MPs today that its members rely on seasonal workers for stability and future growth.

    It wants to see a scheme allowing migrants of EU and non-EU countries to enter the UK for a set period of time and for a specific job.

    Cows in field