Cumbria stories you might have missed this week

Allonby Bay has been given £250,000 to protect its marine life.

A cash boost for marine life, a closed railway line and footballing success - here are some of the stories from Cumbria you might have missed this week.

Rail line to remain closed for extra repairs

Extra work needs to be carried out before planned upgrades can progress

Part of a rail line will remain closed after surveys found tunnel floors need to be strengthened.

No trains will travel between Whitehaven and Corkickle in Cumbria until further notice so repairs can be carried out ahead of further upgrades.

Network Rail said it was not yet known what had caused the underground conditions inside Bransty Tunnel, between Whitehaven and Carlisle.

Assessments were carried out earlier this week ahead of a full track and drainage renewal, which was planned to take place between 30 August and 23 September.

Cash boost to aid marine life protection

Joe Harper said the scheme would be a benchmark for other protected areas

A unique stretch of coastline has been given £250,000 to protect its marine life.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the money to Cumbria Wildlife Trust to highlight the important species living in Allonby Bay.

In 2023 the site was designated as England's first inshore Highly Protected Marine Area.

Joe Harper, bay engagement officer for the trust, said the area was "really bio-diverse and ecologically important".

Listed church window damage delays museum opening

Cumberland Council said Christ Church in Maryport suffered "decades of deterioration"

Damage to the windows of a Grade II-listed church have been blamed for yet another delay in its restoration.

Christ Church in Maryport, Cumbria, is undergoing a major renovation to reopen as the town's Maritime Museum.

Work was initially expected to finish in spring 2024, but Cumberland Council, which is behind the project, said the museum would now open in autumn 2025.

The authority said some of the building's windows were more damaged than initially thought, leading to delays in repairing and replacing them.

Stanway success 'truly inspiring' for old school

Georgia Stanway started her football journey at Furness Rovers

England star Georgia Stanway's success is "truly inspiring" for students at her old school looking to make the most of their opportunities, the footballer's former PE teacher has said.

Emma Armstrong said the midfielder, from Barrow in Cumbria, had fought for her dreams as she travelled long distances to develop her game while studying for GCSEs.

Stanway, one of the double European Championship winners being celebrated in a central London bus parade on Tuesday, began her journey to the top of the game at Dowdales School in Dalton-in-Furness.

Ms Armstrong said former Furness Rovers youth Stanway is proof "somebody from the little town of Barrow" can go on to achieve global success.