BBC Local Live: Cumbria

Thanks to BBC Weather Watcher Jude, from Coniston, for this photograph uploaded this afternoon.

If you'd like to be a BBC Weather Watcher you can sign up here.

JudeCopyright: Jude

It seems the treatment of a 95-year-old war veteran may have forced a change to parking policy at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

There was an outcry after Douglas Newham, a World War Two airman, was charged £130 by the private firm which manages car pars at the hospital after a routine appointment overran.

Tune into Look North at 18:30 on BBC One for the full story.

With credibility and leadership sure to be key issues in the forthcoming general election, we've been to Barrow to get a snapshot of how people in the area feel about the leading parties.

Nick Blakemore reports: 

No further action is to be taken against two men arrested following an allegation an 11-year-old in Wigton was approached by two strangers in a car on Friday.

Cumbria Police say it has been established "the incident was not as initially reported".

A spokesman said: “There has been discussion about this report on social media and I would like to reassure the public that there was no risk to any children." 

A mostly cloudy afternoon with patchy drizzle dying out and perhaps a few brighter spells developing. 

Expect gentle southwest winds and a maximum temperature of 11C (52F). 

You can see a detailed weather forecast for where you live here.

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Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the last few minutes, Lib Dem leader and Cumbrian MP Tim Farron said the general election has the ability to change the direction of Britain - referring to the consequences of a position outside the single market.

He said people deserved to hear from the party leaders, but the PM had refused to take part in TV debates. He said previously he had debated with Mrs May, adding: "Why will you not debate those issues publicly now? What are you scared of?"

Mrs May says she will be debating all these issues, and taking the proud record of a Conservative government for making Brexit a success and a stronger Britain, to the people.

She said the thing that unites "Corbyn, Farron and Sturgeon" is "they want to unite together to divide our country and we will not let them do it".

It's the weekly Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament and Carlisle's Conservative MP, John Stevenson, has just asked Theresa May if she would be receptive to a Cumbrian industrial strategy working within UK-wide one.

In response, Mrs May said the government will look to tailor industrial strategy for different parts of the country, such as Cumbria.

Workington Reds take on Ilkeston at Borough Park later in their penultimate Evo-Stik Northern Premier game of the season.

A win would secure the Cumbrian team a play-off place, with a match to spare. Ilkeston sit next to bottom of the division and so the fifth-placed Reds go into the game as strong favourites.

Kick-off at Borough Park is at 19:45 and you can hear online commentary via the BBC Football Commentaries Page.

A South Cumbrian caravan park is into the final four of a national competition for ethical businesses.  

Skelwith FoldCopyright: Skelwith Fold

Ambleside's Skelwith Fold, which is run by the Wild family including Henry (pictured), has been winning environmental praise for a number of years from naturalists such as David Bellamy.

The wildlife includes deer, badgers, red squirrels and a large number of bird species. Parts of the grounds are planted to attract bees and butterflies and sewage is dealt with in a wetland reedbed.

It's been named North West Ethical Business of the Year in Federation of Small Business and Worldpay UK Awards and that puts it in the running for the national title.

There's a call for more people to volunteer as special constables in Cumbria.

The county's police force is holding an open event later for people to find out more about the role and Cumbria Constabulary's Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, will be attending.

The recruitment event is at 18:00 at Barrow Police Station.

ThinkstockCopyright: Thinkstock

Thanks to Paul Grindley, from Brampton, for sharing these photos with us.

The picture of the bluebells was taken in Brampton Old Church Yard and the cows were enjoying the sunshine just west of the town.

If you have any photos you'd like us to feature you can email them to us.

Paul GrindleyCopyright: Paul Grindley

Paul GrindleyCopyright: Paul Grindley

It's nearly 24 hours since the Prime Minister's shock announcement of a June general election and people in Whitehaven are preparing to head back to the polls.

Just under two months ago, a by-election took place in the Copeland constituency after Labour MP Jamie Reed stepped down. The seat was won by Conservative Trudy Harrison (pictured), ending 80 years of Labour control.

But while the Tories and Labour focus on each other, look out for the Liberal Democrats. The party performed disastrously in the 2015 election but they're positioning themselves as the only true alternative to the Conservatives.

Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader and Cumbrian MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, believes his party is the pro-EU choice - warning against a "disastrous" hard Brexit and aiming to keep the UK in the single market.

Let's not forget before the election in June there's another opportunity for Cumbrians to go to the polls as 4 May will see votes cast in the Cumbria County Council elections. 

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The Conservative MP for Carlisle, John Stevenson, says a strong performance by his party in June's general election will send a message to European Union chiefs in Brussels over Brexit negotiations.

"We, as the Conservatives, are campaigning for a majority government. That's what we want to see happen. We want more than 325 Members of Parliament," Mr Stevenson said.

"It would give Prime Minister Theresa May a mandate and it would mean our European partners would know that the British people are backing her when it comes to the negotiations that will happen over our departure from the EU."

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John Woodcock, the Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, has confirmed he will seek re-selection in his seat - but he has made it clear he does not support Jeremy Corbyn as a potential Prime Minister.

In a Facebook video, Mr Woodcock said there was still time for Mr Corbyn to stand down "rather than lead Labour to defeat" in the 8 June general election.

He has long been a critic of Mr Corbyn.

All of Cumbria's MPs have confirmed they'll seek to stand in the snap general election called by Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday.  

MPs at Westminster are today set to back her plan for the sudden vote.

It is expected to secure the two-thirds Commons majority required to approve staging the early election.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed the PM's surprise announcement.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Plans for a car park close to Catbells near Keswick are dividing opinion. 

The proposal is for 65 parking spaces on 'Cupboard Field', which is about a mile south of Portinscale.

Critics say people should be being encouraged to use public transport to enjoy the area. 

The local parish council will discuss the proposals tonight.

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It's a cold and rather cloudy start to the day with some light rain in the north this morning.

Remaining cloudy through this afternoon, there's the possibility of some light drizzle in places.

Highs of 10C (50F) are expected.

You can see a detailed weather forecast for where you live here.

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