Tributes have been pouring in for the BBC weather presenter who has died from cancer aged of 51.

A man was attacked and robbed as he walked through central Barrow early yesterday.

The 54-year-old suffered what police describe as "a significant eye injury" which was treated by paramedics.

He was knocked over from behind in Emlyn Street by three men, who took cash from his wallet.

Image source, Google

Jennie Dennett
BBC Cumbria

A Cumbrian firefighter has received a royal invitation in recognition of over four decades of service.

John Bradley has worked as an on-call firefighter for 44 years and is the watch commander at Bootle Fire Station near Millom.

He's been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May with the Queen.

A man who raped a girl under the age of 13 on a number of occasions has been jailed for 14 years.

Image source, Cumbria Police

Simon Turnbull, 44, of Fairhill Road, Penrith, who admitted two charges, one covering multiple incidents, was said by a probation officer to have shown "an alarming lack of empathy".

Prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court Turnbull's victim was so upset during interviews that she was unable to speak and had to write her answers to police in a notebook.

The child said of Turnbull: "I hate him."

Judge Peter Davies told Turnbull he had "left a wake of devastation".

Turnbull will have to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely, and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order.

The rescue of the Exeter-based airline marks a return by Virgin to domestic flights.

A young Cumbrian woman who found herself homeless at the age of 16 has been named "Young Person of the Year" by Carlisle Key, the charity that supported her.

Image source, Carlisle Key

Jodie had to live in a hostel on her own, but persisted with her education, and now has a job and her own accommodation.

Carlisle Key says she is a "role model" who is "determined to make positive life choices" and help other young people.

The woman leading an investigation into drug use in Barrow is calling for more money to be invested in tackling the problems that can drive people to become addicts.

Lesley Graham chairs a multi-agency panel which was set up after 12 drug users died in Barrow a year ago - she says there is "at last" recognition that preventative work must be carried out.

This week 17 people have been charged by the police investigating a County Lines drugs gang targeting Barrow from London and Coventry.

The struggling airline, Flybe, is being bought for £2.2m by a consortium including Virgin Atlantic and Stobart Group, which owns Carlisle Airport.

Image source, Getty Images

The sale comes after the Exeter-based airline's warning in October, that it would lose £22m because of poor demand, a weaker pound and higher fuel costs.

• Temperatures at 3,000ft (900m): 2C to 3C (36F-37F)
• Winds: Moderate north-westerly 20-25mph. Gusts up to 35-40mph in the afternoon
• Cloud: Fairly extensive cloud with a base of 1,300ft-1,600ft (400m-500m), with hill fog lingering on summits. A few breaks possible during this morning
• Visibility: Poor on summits, good below the clouds

Image source, LDNPA

The Lake District national park assessors who compile the Weatherline conditions report, external say visibility was less than 50m at times, and although temperatures were above freezing, the windchill was well below, so winter clothing, and navigational requirements, are essential.

Campaigners against plans to expand Penrith say they will stand against the ruling Conservatives in the Eden district at May's local elections.

The group Keep Penrith Special is fighting plans for 5,500 new homes on the edge of the town by 2050.

Last night they presented a petition to the council arguing that the Penrith Masterplan, external would spoil the town.

Councillors say the plans are still open to change, but new homes and space for business are both needed.

The multimillion-pound plan for a new Workington stadium is unrealistic, according to a leading Conservative opposition member of Allerdale council.

The council is now considering borrowing £25m to design a shared football and rugby stadium, £10m up on the original plans after Sellafield Ltd said it would like to accommodate 300 staff in a three-storey extension to offices on the side of the stadium.

Councillor Mark Jenkinson says the plan relies on dangerous assumptions, including that Workington Town will reach Super League status within five years.

BBC Weather

It will be mainly dry today with some sunny spells, especially during this morning.

Forecasters expect a milder day than recently, with light winds and temperatures up to 11C (52F).

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

The BBC North West Tonight presenter Dianne Oxberry, well-known across South Cumbria, has died aged 51 following a short illness

Martin Lewes
Reporter

Good morning: We'll be posting news from around the county, a regular weather forecast, and other useful and interesting information through the day.

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.

Martin Lewes
Reporter

We've now handed over to the microchips to post breaking major news stories and travel reports through the night.

Here's a reminder of some of today's main developments:

• Milnthorpe woke up to find that ram raiders had ripped out a third ATM in 12 months, and a fourth if you count the petrol station a couple of miles down the A6
• Police in Barrow began bringing charges against some of those arrested across the country in a nationwide operation to roll up a so-called "County Lines" drug-dealing plot
• And in Egremont, Mark McCarthy hoped some daffodils he saw in bloom presaged an early spring. Sadly, the Met Office forecasters say winter is still to arrive.

We'll be back from 08:00 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 evening.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Speed limits in several village in west Cumbria are a step closer to being relaxed because highways engineers felt they were being ignored by drivers.

Image source, Google

Explaining the reason for the speed increases, traffic management team leader Stephanie Davis-Johnston said: "While lower speed limits may appear to make a road safer, if we don't get compliance then they are worth nothing."

The report considered by officers said the increase would be introduced in places where it had "become apparent that the speed limit - or a portion of it - is unsuitable".

The plans affecting villages such as Broughton Moor, Flimby and Allonby will go before the councillors one last time with the changes set to be rolled out in the next financial year.

BBC Weather

This evening and tonight are expected to be mainly dry with clear spells breaking through, and slow-moving banks of cloud.

It will be a chilly night with lowest temperatures from 1C to 4C (34F to 39F).

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

Another seven people have been charged with various offences after the drugs raids in Barrow, Coventry and London this week.

Operation Horizon was started after a number of deaths in the town were linked to heroin and cocaine.

Charges have now been brought against 17 of the 27 arrested so far.

Liam Gearing, 14, who was reported missing yesterday in Carlisle, has been found safe.

Lewis Nicholson (pictured), who is also 14, and also missing from the Currock area, has still not been found.

Image source, Cumbria Police

The famous Lake District cross between a biscuit and cake, Grasmere Gingerbread, has won a first place in a national award scheme run the the food magazine delicious.

Image source, Grasmere Gingerbread

The recipe was invented by Sarah Nelcon in 1854, and is still a family secret, currently in the hands of the fourth generation, Joanne Hunter.