Martin Lewes
Reporter

We've now stopped posting the county's news and other business for today and this week. Here's a reminder of some of today's main developments:

• The day started with sad news of the death of a popular broadcaster
• Stobart Group, the owners of Carlisle Airport, joined with Virgin Atlantic to rescue the troubled airline, Flybe and effectively establish a new airline, although it's not thought it will make an immediate difference in Cumbria
• And after 44 years driving Millom's fire engine, 'John-boy' Bradley, as his colleagues call him, was asked to make a rather longer journey than usual - to Buckingham Palace for tea with the Queen

We'll be back from 08:00 on Monday to do it again.

If you've got any stories or photos to share, let us know by sending us an email, getting in touch on Facebook, external, or on Twitter, external.

Have a very good weekend.

BBC Weather

Tonight will be mostly cloudy with some rain, especially after midnight.

The rain will clear towards the end of the night to leave and showers with the wind increasing and lowest temperatures from 2C to 5C (36F to 41F).

You can find the latest BBC weather forecast for where you are, here.

A van driver has admitted causing the death of a pensioner in a crash on the A6 between Penrith and Carlisle in north Cumbria.

Colin Hodgson, 30, of Leam Lane, Gateshead, had previously denied a charge alleging that he caused the death of Ann Miller by dangerous driving, on 9 August 2017, and was due to go on trial.

However, during a brief Carlisle Crown Court hearing this morning, Hodgson pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of causing Mrs Miller's death by careless driving of a Mercedes Sprinter van.

The charge arises out of a crash on the A6 at Plumpton Foot, when Hodgson's van collided with a Volkswagen Golf in which Mrs Miller was a front seat passenger.

Hodgson was released on bail, but with a driving ban, until later this month for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Police say they are still trying to find Robert Hadfield, 27, from Whitehaven, who is wanted for offences including assault and criminal damage.

Image source, Cumbria Police

He is believed to be in the Workington area, police say.

Railway enthusiasts have made special trips in recent months to ride a train hauled by a particular model of diesel locomotive.

BBC News Travel

The A69 has been closed after a serious crash between Brampton and Haltwhistle. Local diversions have been set up.

BBC News Travel

The C5101 from from Sedbergh to Dent will be closed for three days from Monday for urgent repairs near Low Mire House.

Heavy vehicles face difficult detours, via Hawes and Sedbergh, on narrow roads with tight corners.

Police say they are concerned about Ronnie Jay Switters, 15, who has been missing since 04:00 yesterday.

Image source, Family/Cumbria Police

Ronnie has a tattoo of a rose on the back of his right hand and may have travelled to Swansea.

BBC News Travel

The train company Northern has warned once again of severely reduced services tomorrow because of a strike my members of the RMT union in the dispute over the role of guards.

The company says trains that do run will be very busy, external, and most will stop before 17:00.

Police have welcomed the prison sentence imposed today on a Penrith man who admitted raping a girl under the age of 13 several times last year.

Simon Turnbull, 44, of Fairhill Road, Penrith, appeared for sentencing at Carlisle Crown Court today.

Afterwards Det Con Bridget Jackson said: “I would like to praise the bravery of the victim in this case for disclosing what happened to them and for the strength they have shown throughout our investigation."

Martin Lewes
Reporter

James Robinson, who runs an organic dairy farm near Kendal, has dropped into some fine dialect to complain about the moles making a mess of his pasture.

The front of a shop was destroyed during an early morning raid at the McColl's store.

Cumbria police are to be issued with "spit guards" after some 120 incidents last year where officers reported being spat at.

Image source, Hampshire Constabulary

The force said this morning that in some cases officers had to wait up to six months before they were certain they had not been infected, and the attacks affected officers in their private and professional lives.

The guards are approved by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, have the backing of Cumbria Police Federation, and most forces in the country now use them, the statement said.

Ch Insp Andy Wilkinson said: “Spitting is a horrible type of assault."

The victim told police during an interview that she hated her attacker, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Cumbria police have urged drivers and pedestrians to be more careful on dark evenings, external after three fatal collisions since the start of December.

The county road safety partnership says 18 pedestrians have also been injured in other incidents.

Insp Steve Minnikin said: “Our message is not about blaming drivers or blaming pedestrians. There is more everyone can do to help make sure everyone using our roads gets home safely."

Image source, Cumbria Constabulary

News and Star
Newspaper

A Carlisle councillor has branded part of the civic centre, external as being in a "deplorable state".

Two men from County Durham have appeared in court after a ram-raid on an ATM at Milnthorpe early yesterday.

Michael Campbell, 37, of Wooley Meadows, Stanley Crook, Durham, and Jason Brazauskas, 30, of Church Street, Toronto, Bishop Auckland, were both remanded in custody when they appeared before Barrow Magistrates’ Court today.

Both men are charged with burglary, two counts of taking a vehicle without consent and two charges of criminal damage.

They are due to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on 11 February.

A ward at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven is still closed to visitors, because of an outbreak of the stomach bug, norovirus which started on Monday.

Officials say anyone who believes visiting Ward 3 is essential, should speak to the ward manager.

BBC Weather

The rest of today will be largely dry, and although rather cloudy there may be some bright or sunny spells.

It will be a relatively mild afternoon with light winds and highest temperatures from 5C to 8C (41F to 46F).

You can find the latest BBC weather forecast for where you are, here.

Dianne Oxberry was on BBC Radio 1 before becoming a popular presenter in the North West of England.