The engineering company Rolls Royce has called for the government to support its plans for a number of small nuclear power station, including one in at Moorside in Cumbria.

Image source, Rolls Royce

The firm is now leading a number of companies in a consortium to nuclear power plants using the "modular" reactors, which would be prefabricated in parts at factories and assembled on site, which Rolls Royce says would reduce the time and cost of construction.

In the statement today, the consortium says a government commitment of £200m could enable a "fleet" of 16 of the power plants, creating 6,000 jobs, helping meet zero carbon objectives, and with a potential £250bn export market.

Tom Samson, interim chief executive of the consortium said: "Families and businesses in our existing nuclear estate, such as West Cumbria and North Wales, will benefit from prosperity, social mobility and opportunity for decades to come.”

Tributes are being paid to a long-serving west Cumbrian councillor who died at the weekend.

Image source, Allerdale BC

Joe Holliday was elected to Allerdale Council as the Labour member for St Johns Ward in Workington in 2007, also serving as an Independent, and in 2011 he became the Mayor of Allerdale.

He also became a Cumbria county councillor in 2001.

He worked for the county council for 60 years, and when he retired he took on the duties of a parish clerk and school governor.

BBC Weather

Rain will becoming increasingly widespread this afternoon with a freshening south-easterly breeze and highest temperatures from 10C to 13C (50F to 55F).

You can always find the latest BBC weather forecast for where you are by searching for your location here.

BBC Cumbria Sport

Barrow are out of the EFL Trophy after losing 1-0 at home to League One side Accrington last night.

The Bluebirds manager, David Dunn, said he believed the Cumbrians were the better team, with some young players performing well.

• Temperature at 3,000ft (900m): 5C to 6C (41F to 43F)
• Winds: Strong southerly in the morning, increasing to gale force by the afternoon with gusts up to 60mph
• Cloud: Extensive cloud cover through the day with a base of around 1,300ft to 2,000ft (400m to 600m)
• Weather: Mostly cloudy and very windy with hill fog and occasional drizzle
• Visibility: Often poor above around 1,300ft (400m), moderate to good visibility in the valleys

BBC Weather

It will be rather cloudy or overcast today, with the morning should stay largely dry but rain later from the west.

There will be a freshening south-easterly breeze with highest temperatures from 10C to 13C (50F to 55F).

If you type in your postcode or location here, you can get a detailed BBC weather forecast for where you are.

People living around Morecambe Bay are being asked for their views on plans to have a single, all-purpose, local authority, instead of three district councils and parts of two counties.

In a joint statement the leaders of all three district councils, Barrow Borough, South Lakeland and Lancaster City, said they believed the larger body was a better solution.

Image source, Lancaster City Council

• You can find out more about the proposals and fill in a survey on each of the council's websites.

Lake District-based couple had to move apart after the company they worked for went bust.

BBC Weather

Some clear spells may develop in the evening, although overnight, it will become largely cloudy again.

It will remain dry and a few mist patches may form in moderate winds from the south, with lowest temperatures from 4C to 7C (39F to 45F).

You can find the latest, detailed, BBC weather forecast for where you are by searching for your location here.

The Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has called on the government to allow overnight stays at outdoor education centres.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale told the Commons the centres, including many in Cumbria, could play an important role in promoting the mental health and confidence of young people.

Responding, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he would look into the matter with colleagues at the Department for Education.

Paramedics from the Great North Air Ambulance have helped colleagues from the equivalent Italian service follow their example in carrying blood supplies on emergency missions.

Image source, GNAA

Two members of staff from the Italian air ambulance service, AREU, visited GNAA bases in Langwathby in Cumbria and on Teesside, spending four days learning about delivering blood transfusions before a patient has arrived in hospital.

Staff from the GNAA believe carrying blood on board the aircraft has saved dozens of lives since 2015.

Afterwards Dr Francesco Daminelli, from AREU, said help from his Cumbrian colleagues had been fundamental to the Italian service adopting the same practice.

Earlier in the year hundreds of people driving into Cumbria from across the country were pulled over by police patrols, fined, and reminded that in the time of Covid-19, unnecessary journeys were not allowed.

Earlier this week police said fines were issued because people could only leave home for specific reasons during the lockdown, and that 24 fixed penalties, some for people intending to stay in campervans, had been issued over the weekend.

News and Star
Newspaper

A charity that makes wigs for women who have lost their hair after cancer treatment have received vital support from a caring young girl, external.

Image source, News and Star

Two men have gone on trial in Carlisle accused of murdering a man in a row over a £135 woolly beanie hat.

Blair Dixon and Alfonso Bitton each deny murdering 37-year-old John Cingelis (pictured), who was stabbed in the chest, and also deny intentionally wounding his pal Barry Cartwright, who was stabbed in his upper arm.

Image source, Family photo

Carlisle Crown Court heard Mr Dixon and Mr Bitton, both 25 and at the time staying at Eldon Drive, Harraby, are said to have visited the nearby Brantwood Avenue home of Mr Cingelis and his housemate Mr Cartwright, chatting over drinks with them and two women before leaving on good terms.

But a few hours later they returned to claim the black Canada Goose beanie belonging to Mr Dixon and an altercation took place that ended with Mr Cingelis fatally wounded and Mr Cartwright injured.

Mr Dixon does admit possessing a knife, but the prosecution case is that Mr Bitton was equally responsible for what happened.

The court heard the hat was later found at another house where Mr Dixon had left it. The trial continues.

BBC Cumbria Sport

Bluebirds manager David Dunn is thinking of making a few changes for tonight's final EFL Trophy group stage tie at home to Accrington.

Barrow will progress to the next round with a win.

BBC Weather

The afternoon will be dry for most but there will be a lot of cloud and mist at first with just an isolated shower.

There will be a moderate southerly wind and it will stay mild with highest temperatures from 10C to 13C (50F to 55F).

You can find the latest, hour-by-hour, BBC weather forecast for where you are by searching for your location here.

Bob Cooper
Political reporter, BBC Cumbria

There's been another rise in the number of people from Cumbria dying with coronavirus, with 20 reported in the week to 30 October being the highest since the middle of May.

The latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics, external, which bases its figures on death certificates that mention Covid-19, mean that 620 people from the county have now died with the virus.

Covid: Questions answered on the Pfizer vaccine.

The Barrow and Furness MP has joined backbenchers in Parliament who are pressing the government to come up with a plan to allow fans back into football grounds once the current lockdown ends.

A Government pilot scheme allowing for the partial return of fans to stadiums was paused in September after a rise in coronavirus cases.

Now a petition urging a rethink has been signed by 200,000 people and MPs say the empty terraces are threatening the future of clubs.

The Conservative MP Simon Fell told the Commons that Barrow AFC was a vital part of the town, and were relying on income such as spectators buying season tickets for matches they cannot attend.

People who own business premises in Cumbria are being reminded to protect them during the coronavirus lockdown.

The fire service is advising people to make sure any electrical equipment is unplugged, unless it powers fire alarms or sprinklers, to turn water off at the mains, make sure fire doors are closed, and to inspect the property on a weekly basis.

Image source, CFRS

BBC Cumbria Sport

In case you missed the draw last night: Carlisle United will be at home to League One Doncaster Rovers in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

And a home tie against Crawley Town awaits the winners of Barrow's first round tie with AFC Wimbledon, which was postponed at the weekend because of a coronavirus outbreak at the London club.