Storm Lilian flooding causes train disruption

Keswick was one of the areas affected by Storm Lilian

Several rail services across Cumbria have been disrupted due to Storm Lilian, with flooding reported in parts of the county.

Northern said it had expected its trains between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness to be affected until early afternoon, due to "severe weather".

The storm has also caused a landslide on Newlands Pass, blocking the road to Buttermere.

Drivers using the M6 motorway, A66 and A1 were warned of travel disruption, with an earlier Met Office yellow warning for winds of up to 75mph across parts of northern England and southern Scotland now lifted.

Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team said highway teams were aware of the landslide at Newlands Pass but added it "looks like it may take a while to clear".

Heavy flooding also blocked lines between Workington and Whitehaven, with passengers being warned of cancellations.

Dale Hipkiss, at National Highways, said disruption had been caused by two fallen trees on the M6 between Stoke and Manchester, as well as a sign which had blown onto the M6 carriageway, between junctions 39 and 40 between Shap and Penrith.

Northern said train services operating across its entire network would be "cancelled, delayed or revised", and it advised passengers not to travel.

Drivers are being urged to avoid Newlands Pass near Buttermere due to a landslide

Electricity North West said power cuts caused by the storm, including some in the Eden area, may not be restored until 18:30 BST.

"Repair works will begin as soon as it is safe to do so," a spokesperson said.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said a number of roads were flooded and warned people not to drive through the pools of water.

Cumberland Council said the storm had led to flooding in various locations around Mirehouse, Whitehaven and Distington.

Braystones Road was also forced to close due to flooding next to the pumping station, a spokesperson said.

Weekend weather

Meanwhile, the Solfest music festival, which takes place at North Lakes Country Park, near Silloth, is expected to go ahead, after initially being delayed by two days due to the high winds.

Its director Sam Johnston told BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday that the festival would start and the "forecast is looking good for the rest of the weekend".

He added that some of the acts which were due to play earlier this week had been rearranged for the weekend. "We're looking great," he added.

Alan Goodman at the Met Office said people could expect less stormy weather this weekend but added: "It isn't going to be the best bank holiday weekend by any stretch of the imagination."