An Allerdale councillor has called for action to address the number of empty shops in Maryport, as well as those struggling because of the pandemic.

Independent councillor for Maryport North, George Kemp, welcomed the news the town will receive £11.5m from the government's Future High Street Fund but says it's important to attract new businesses to the town centre.

It comes as a number of shops are set to close or move away from the town centre, including the Original Factory Shop on Senhouse Street.

Mr Kemp said: “It would be tragic if the regeneration works are completed with swathes of empty businesses left in the town."

He's called on Allerdale council’s leader, Conservative councillor Mike Johnson, to “incentivise new businesses to open in Maryport".

Mr Johnson said the council “will be working with shop owners and businesses to try and attract new business into those vacant premises in Maryport”.

Image source, Google

People in Cumbria are being warned to ensure their rubbish is disposed of legally, as local councils report an increase in fly-tipping.

Carlisle City Council has a fleet of six new vehicles, some fitted with CCTV cameras, and will be doing patrols of the area to try and catch people responsible.

Brian Smith, civil enforcement officer for the council, said it's not just furniture and building materials that are being dumped: "We're getting people dumping containers of oil and horrible things like that in the countryside and they're ending up in streams which has a massive impact on the local wildlife."

Terry Abson died at the scene while Georgina Lands passed away a week after they were hit by a van.

• Temperature at 3,000ft: around -1C to 0C (30F to 32F), but with a significant wind chill where exposed to the wind.
• Winds: A gale to severe gale force westerly wind, with gusts up to 75mph this morning and 65mph this afternoon.
• Cloud: Extensive cloud during the morning, with bases to 1,500ft (500m). Cloud bases then rather changeable through the afternoon as showers come and go - often to 2,500ft (800m) but at times to 1,500ft (500m) in showers.
• Weather: Heavy rain initially in the morning, clearing to sunny intervals and showers.
• Visibility: Highly variable as showers come and go, from very good, to poor during showers.
• Freezing level: Around 2600ft (800m).

Image source, Fell Top Assessors

Wes from the Fell Top Assessors took his picture looking north from the top of Helvellyn of the fresh snow on its east facing side.

Grimsby Town are forced to settle for a point after Offrande Zanzala's last-gasp equaliser in a draw at Carlisle.

The one-year-old boy had been living with a couple who were waiting for a final adoption order.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Fewer than half of the fell paths Lake District rangers had hoped to upgrade last year were worked on as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesman for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said the impact of Covid-19 on maintaining the paths had been "considerable".

They said: “We lost 50% of our staff time over the fell season from March to October.

“This was due to all staff being furloughed for nine weeks during April to June, and also because we had to halt recruitment of five Fix the Fells Rangers in March because of the pandemic’s impact on finances."

In total of the 30 paths earmarked for work in 2020, only 13 were completed.

Image source, Fix the Fells

• Temperature at 3,000ft: Around 1C to 2C (34F to 36F).
• Winds: Fresh south-westerly breezes through the day with gusts up to 40mph.
• Cloud: Cloudy for most of the day with bases at 980ft to 2,300ft (300m to 700m) this morning, dropping to around feet 650ft to 1,650ft (200m to 500m) this afternoon.
• Weather: It will be a largely dull and overcast day, with scattered showers this morning. Turning drier for a time in the afternoon before rain arrives this evening.
• Visibility: Poor above the cloud bases or in any showers.
• Freezing level: Above the summits.

Image source, Fell Top Assessors

Zac from the Fell Top Assessors took this picture of a thin skin of ice at the far side of Red Tarn.

Carlisle man Marcin Rogala pulled a car's handbrake while arguing with his wife who was driving, a court hears.

Billy Welch says the more people get vaccinated, the sooner events like Appleby Horse Fair can resume.

• Temperature at 3,000ft: Around 1C (34F).
• Winds: Fresh north-westerly breezes through the day with gusts between 30mph to 35mph.
• Cloud: Cloud bases will be quite low through the day, generally between 1,000ft to 2,000ft (300m to 600m), but lower at times.
• Weather: Today will be dull and quite wet at times. Spells of rain will drift in from the north-west through the day. Later on, the rain will become lighter and patchier.
• Visibility: Moderate in most areas. Poor with any rainfall and above cloud bases.
• Freezing level: Above the summits.

Image source, Fell Top Assessors

Bringing you the latest news, travel and weather from across Cumbria from Monday 8 March to Friday 12 March 2021

There are calls for the UK to use "more flexible" EU coastal water testing regimes instead.

Five families formed a company to buy land previously occupied by an illegal "ramshackle hamlet".

West Cumbria Mining says Cumbria County Council's latest decision "cannot be justified".

Morecambe pick up another three points to maintain their League Two promotion push with an comprehensive 3-1 victory over Carlisle.

Patrick Brough fires battling Barrow out of the League Two relegation zone with a welcome win over 10-man Mansfield.

Patients say virtual appointments save time, expense and the need to take someone to help.

The sites are intended to curb fly camping but opponents say they will "ruin" tourist attractions.

Bundles of drugs and phones thrown over a fence at HMP Northumberland were intercepted by guards.