Cumbria stories you might have missed

The first snow of the season graced Blencathra on Wednesday

The first snow hit the Cumbrian fells and there was progress on the reopening of a beloved beauty spot. Here are some of the stories to make headlines in Cumbria.

First snow of season cloaks Cumbrian fells

Weather Watcher benjisnapper said it was a "beautiful blue sky" near Keswick

The Cumbrian fells sported their winter colours with the first snow of the season.

Stephen Catterall called it a "snow day for lucky hikers", while Rob Knowles, who lives near Penrith, said it was a "gorgeous-looking day but cold in the wind".

• Take a look at more of your pictures here

Hostel could become HMO for hotel workers

Kendal Hostel could be turned into staff accommodation for a hotel chain, if plans are approved

A popular backpacking hostel in Kendal could be turned into accommodation for hotel staff.

The Grade II listed building was run as a family business with space for 46 guests, however it was put up for sale earlier this year.

English Lakes Hotels, which owns two hotels near Windermere, has submitted the houses in multiple occupation (HMO) plans to Westmorland and Furness Council.

Recent figures from Cumbria Tourism show that recruitment for hospitality and tourism businesses is a major concern, with 83% reporting difficulties hiring staff.

• Read more about the plans here

Beauty spot 'should never have been closed'

The viewpoint known as Ruskin's View closed in 2021 due to fears the embankment above the river was eroding

A beauty spot made famous by a beloved writer "should never have been closed", according to the team working to reopen it.

Ruskin's View, in Kirkby Lonsdale, was closed in 2021 by the then Cumbria County Council due to erosion fears, but a team set up by Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council said no "significant" movement had been detected.

Westmorland and Furness Council, which is now responsible, said it was taking the necessary steps to safely reopen the path.

The area takes its name from Victorian writer and art critic John Ruskin, who loved the site.

• Read more about Ruskin's View here

Train route expands

The changes will come into effect in December

A train route will be extended to connect Carlisle and Middlesbrough during the week.

The Northern service currently travels between Carlisle and Newcastle, stopping at Sunderland, Hartlepool, Stockton and Thornaby. It runs to Middlesbrough only on Sundays.

That will change when new timetables come into effect on 14 December.

• Read more about the changes here

Flare rescue call-out 'likely meteor shower'

"Extremely bright meteors" were spotted during a three-hour search

An emergency call-out prompted by reports of flares off Drigg beach was likely to be a meteor shower, the RNLI said.

St Bees RNLI was requested to launch by HM Coastguard Belfast on Wednesday after an angler reported seeing multiple flares.

The crew searched using lights, radar and illumination flares to try to locate the vessel or person in distress.

However, during the three-hour search, the team spotted several "extremely bright meteors" and said it was most likely in relation to the Leonid meteor shower.

• Read more about what happened here