BBC Local Live: Cumbria

It will be cloudy with rain and hill snow across Cumbria, easing northwards overnight. Drier and clearer spells will develop to the south. It will be a cold and windy night for most, with further outbreaks of rain will arriving from the east towards morning. Minimum Temperature: 3C (37F).

And tomorrow early rain will move westwards on a brisk easterly wind, but drier and brighter conditions will follow through the afternoon. It will feel a little less cold, despite the wind. Maxmium temperature 11C (52F),

BBCCopyright: BBC

Theresa May said money is being spent on improving transport and businesses in what she's called the "beautiful county of Cumbria". 

The Prime Minister's comments came in the Commons in response to Carlisle's Conservative MP John Stevenson.  He pointed out that senior government figures should understand the area's transport needs after having made the journey to Copeland to campaign in the recent by-election.  

Quote Message: If the government's industrial strategy is to succeed, places such as Cumbria need to be part of that success. Will the Prime Minister ensure that Cumbria gets the infrastructure investment which it requires? from John Stevenson Conservative MP for Carlisle

If the government's industrial strategy is to succeed, places such as Cumbria need to be part of that success. Will the Prime Minister ensure that Cumbria gets the infrastructure investment which it requires?

Theresa May didn't make any specific promises about improving transport links in Cumbria itself, but did say the county will benefit from money being allocated to the North West of England more generally.  

Quote Message: Cumbria and the North West has huge industrial potential. That's why we are getting on delivering our investment plans across the country, including in the North West. £556m has been allocated from the local growth fund to boost local productivity. The North's getting £147m to tackle congestion and improve local transport. from Theresa May Prime Minister

Cumbria and the North West has huge industrial potential. That's why we are getting on delivering our investment plans across the country, including in the North West. £556m has been allocated from the local growth fund to boost local productivity. The North's getting £147m to tackle congestion and improve local transport.

A group is being formed in Cumbria to try to encourage more women to pursue careers in the nuclear industry.  

Women in Nuclear UKCopyright: Women in Nuclear UK

Women in Nuclear was formed in 2014. It says at the moment, women make up just 19% of the UK's nuclear workforce. 

Cumbria has been chosen as one of the first areas to establish a regional team, because of its existing nuclear industries and the potential Moorside development in future.  

Councillors say they are minded to refer some plans for a shake-up of healthcare in Cumbria to the Secretary of State for health.

Earlier this month, the Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group approved a series of changes.

Cumbria councillors have been discussing the proposals today. They have yet to make a final decision but so far say they plan to refer three things to the secretary of state - the changes to children's and maternity services and the proposals about community hospitals.

They will make a final vote this evening.

Cumbrian MPs have been speaking about this afternoon's terror incident in Westminster.

Trudy Harrison, the new Conservative MP for Copeland has told BBC Radio Cumbria she's being kept safe, that she doesn't know the full extent of what's been happening, but she's been evacuated to a safe place. And she says "we're in safe hands. I'm just reassuring people that we're in safe hands". 

The Westminster office of the Labour MP for Workington, Sue Hayman, has told BBC Radio Cumbria that they're all very shaken up, they've been told to stay put, the attack coincided with a vote so the MPs were already locked into chambers, and are still there.  

And the Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, John Woodcock has also been talking about his experience today: 

Quote Message: I was on my way to vote with a crowd of MPs through Old Palace Yard, in sight of Parliament Square ,when shots were fired and we were all ushered at top speed back to a secluded part of Portcullis House. I am now waiting in a meeting room in there on an upper floor away from the window, with Cat Smith MP and a team from Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust who were down for a meeting with us. from John Woodcock Labour MP for Barrow and Furness

I was on my way to vote with a crowd of MPs through Old Palace Yard, in sight of Parliament Square ,when shots were fired and we were all ushered at top speed back to a secluded part of Portcullis House. I am now waiting in a meeting room in there on an upper floor away from the window, with Cat Smith MP and a team from Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust who were down for a meeting with us.

At least two of Cumbria's MPs have been reacting to this afternoon's incident at the Palace of Westminster.

The Conservative MP for Carlisle, John Stevenson, has told BBC Radio Cumbria he was on his way to vote. He heard the commotion but wasn't at that stage aware of the situation.  

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has tweeted to say he's in a group who've been moved to New Scotland Yard. 

We'll have more MP's reaction shortly.  

A number of heated discussions have been taking place today over plans to downgrade health services in West Cumbria. 

Members of the county council are discussing the Success Regime proposals which could see the transfer of acute services for children from the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The plans could also see the removal of in-patient beds at cottage hospitals. 

Councillors will decide today whether to support the proposals or refer them to the Secretary of State for health.  

People are being invited to comment on development plans for three areas in south Cumbria.

South Lakeland District Council has approved draft planning briefs for the sites in Endmoor, Burton-in-Kendal, and Holme.

A consultation is taking place between 6 April and 25 May, and the findings will be used to help determine what is encouraged or expected on each site.

Part of the Scottish fashion and accessories brand Ness Clothing has been bought out of administration. 

Four Ness stores - in York, Keswick, and at the Lawnmarket and the Royal Mile in Edinburgh - have been purchased by property and retail group Kiltane. 

The Edinburgh-based firm has also acquired the wholesale and e-commerce divisions of Ness. 

Ness ClothingCopyright: Ness Clothing

Visitors to Furness General Hospital in Barrow must take precautions because of an outbreak of norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting. 

The Trust which runs the hospital says anyone with symptoms in the last two days must stay away.  

Everyone else visiting Wards two and seven must not bring young children or arrive in large groups. 

All visitors must wash their hands before going onto and leaving the wards, a spokesman for the hospital said.

Science Photo LibraryCopyright: Science Photo Library

Tonight's Northern League game between Penrith and Dunston UTS is off due to a heavily waterlogged pitch.

I would have loved to woken up to these scenes this morning... (if i didn't have to go to work). 

Although the sheep don't look too impressed.

There's very slow traffic on the A590 in both directions near the A5074 because of an accident.

Who'd have thought it was Spring?

Thanks to Tony Rumsey for this photo he emailed this morning from Shap.

Tony RumseyCopyright: Tony Rumsey

This is the scene on the M6 around Shap and Tebay. Visibility isn't great but the traffic is coping well.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Look what I spotted in the snow by the M6. No sign of the owner though.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The M6 northbound has re-opened after the earlier accident.