A school in south Cumbria is appealing for the speed limit on a nearby main road to be reduced from 50mph to 30mph.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition after Beetham C of E Primary School raised fears a serious accident could happen if action on traffic speed on the A6 was not taken.

At a meeting of Cumbria County Council’s local committee for South Lakeland, headteacher Wendy Nicolas said: “The level of noise affects our teaching and if a lorry left the road it could be fatal.

“We have had several parents’ vehicles hit along the road during pick-up times."

A highways spokesman told the meeting the road will now be assessed to see if a reduced speed limit is possible and a report produced for Spring.

Image source, Google

Tony Packenham was driving at nearly 80mph when his Land Rover struck a car, killing a 13-year-old.

BBC Radio Cumbria

Cumbria's mountain rescue teams are worried visitors coming to the Lake District this Christmas will venture on to the fells ill-prepared and ill-equipped.

The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association says there's been a 30% increase in the number of people getting lost on the fells during the coronavirus pandemic.

It says some of the rescues have involved people from outside the county, who are not familiar with the challenges of the winter weather.

Image source, Wasdale MRT

A 74-year-old man who was involved in two-car collision in Workington has died.

It happened yesterday at 10:35 on Washington Street.

The family of Robert Hodgson from Maryport said: “Robert was a real character who you would never forget if you had met him.

"We are devastated at losing him, he will be missed by all of his family and friends."

The driver of the other car wasn't hurt, Cumbria Police said.

Image source, Google

• Temperature at 3000ft: Around 2C (36F).
• Winds: A moderate south-westerly breeze, with gusts to around 35mph to 40mph.
• Cloud: Cloud bases will generally be between 1000ft to 2000ft (300m to 600m), lowest during showers.
• Weather: This morning there should be some bright spells, but for much of the day it will be quite cloudy with frequent blustery showers blowing in from the south-west.
• Visibility: Above cloud bases visibility will be poor, and also during any showers.

Image source, Fell Top Assessors

Zac Poulton from the Fell Top Assessors took this photo and says thawing snow and heavy rain over the last few days mean many streams are now in spate making crossings tricky and potentially dangerous. He's urging for caution on the Hollow Stones route up Scafell Pike and Red Tarn path on Helvellyn.

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has warned the government against relaxing coronavirus restrictions over the festive period.

The Liberal Democrat representative for Westmorland and Lonsdale told the House of Commons on Monday "it would be a particular tragedy" if people died from the virus "when the end was in sight".

"That's what we've got ahead of us now. That's why if we need to tighten restrictions over Christmas, miserable though that may be, don't we want our loved ones to see summer?"

While Cumbria is subject to tier two - high alert - restrictions, London, most of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire will join tier three on Wednesday.

However, between 23 and 27 December, three households in a "Christmas bubble" can mix indoors and stay overnight.

While there has been some excitement at the prospect of families meeting, NHS bosses have warned people to think "really carefully" about the risks.

Image source, Reuters

Kenneth Pointon squeezed his partner's throat until she feared she would die, a court hears.

Demolition work at the Sands Centre in Carlisle is due to start as part of a major redevelopment, including a swimming pool.

Leisure facilities are being moved to the nearby Newman's school, as demolition work starts to make way for a new 82ft (25m) swimming main pool and a 65ft (20m) learner pool complete with a moveable floor.

There will also be changes to the existing events hall, four court sports halls, fitness suite and spinning studio.

It's hoped work will be finished by late Autumn 2022

Image source, Carlisle City Council

A service to keep mums and their newborn babies together, even if the baby needs medical help in the first few days of their life, has been started at the West Cumberland Hospital and Cumberland Infirmary.

The neonatal transitional care areas mean new mothers can stay with their babies while they are being cared for.

It allows them to bond as the babies don't need to be separated while they are undergoing treatment.

Midwives and nurses from the special care baby unit, will support babies who need tube feeding, intravenous antibiotics and care for those born a little early or with a low birth weight.

Image source, NHS North Cumbria

Cumbria is likely to remain under tier two coronavirus restrictions when the government announces the results of its nationwide review this week, Carlisle MP John Stevenson said.

The county was placed in high alert - the middle of three tiers - when lockdown ended on 2 December, with a decision on whether those measures remain in place scheduled for Wednesday.

Mr Stevenson told the BBC: "I think on balance Carlisle and Cumbria will remain in tier two, although the direction of travel is positive and it may well be that we move towards tier one in the new year.

"I think it will be driven by evidence and that's the right approach to take."

The current restrictions mean people are not allowed to socialise with anyone from outside their household or support bubble indoors, either in a private home or a public place.

However, they can socialise in groups of up to six people outdoors - including private gardens and public places.

• Temperature at 3000ft: Around 3C to 4C (37F to 39F).
• Winds: Strong south-westerly winds throughout the day often reaching gale force strength, gusts will be between 45 to 55mph.
• Cloud: Cloud bases will generally be between 1000ft to 2000ft (300m to 600m), lowest during showers.
• Weather: Frequent blustery showers throughout the afternoon will blow in from the south-west. Showers could be heavy.
• Visibility: Poor above cloud bases and very poor visibility during showers.

Image source, Fell Top Assessors

Photo from the Fell Top Assessors in challenging conditions, descending onto Swirral Edge from the Helvellyn plateau. They say snow patches are easily avoided and crampons not currently required.

Bringing you the latest news, travel and weather from across Cumbria from Monday 14 December to Friday 18 December, 2020

League Two Barrow part company with manager David Dunn after nine games without a win.

The men thought they were at the Old Man of Coniston but were more than a mile away at Great How.

Promotion-chasing Carlisle United thrash 10-man Stevenage 4-0 to claim their biggest home win of the season.

Crawley put four past 10-man Barrow, with a Max Watters hat-trick, to battle to victory in League Two at the Broadfield Stadium.

The 'massive logistical challenge' will involve about half of the county's 40 secondary schools.

Bob Cooper
Political reporter, BBC Cumbria

A Cumbrian village is coming together this Christmas and celebrating in a rather different way.

Gamblesby in the Eden Valley is miles away from pubs and shops, but people living there have relied on community spirit to help get them through.

Many in the village near Melmerby have missed social contact with the village hall being shut since March, but they’re determined to celebrate Christmas.

They're rehearsing carols outside on the green and planning a drive-in nativity.

You can see more on this story on Politics North on Sunday 13 December at 10:00 on BBC One.

An 84-year-old woman has been left unhappy in her home of almost 50 years after a thief stole her handbag, a court has heard.

Josh John Nicholson, 24, went to the woman's home in Workington and told her his mother had died, then stole her bag while she was distracted.

He used the £70 cash inside to buy milkshakes and top-up cards, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Nicholson was jailed for 21 months after admitting burglary and theft.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke said the pensioner had spoken of her distress and is no longer happy being at a house in which she'd lived for almost half a century and sought medical advice from her doctor.

Nicholson stole the bag on 8 November, four days after he was caught trying to burgle another house in Workington. He was caught in the act by the homeowners after they were alerted to suspicious noises and found him downstairs just before midnight.

Nicholson, of Mona Road, Salterbeck, Workington, was described as being "mortified" by his actions.

He was also banned from contacting the victims and visiting their addresses for five years.

Image source, Google

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis brought in a new male after its resident pair failed to produce offspring.