Weather alerts remain in place for many parts of Cumbria

Warnings remain in place for travellers across much of Cumbria as the county battles closed roads and disruption to rail services due to snow and ice.

With forecasters warning a return to normal will take several days, the authorities are slowly reaching some communities which have been cut off.

Flood alerts are in place for the coast from Gretna to Silloth and for north Morecambe Bay.

The A66 route between County Durham and Cumbria is passable with care.

Some other roads remain closed and there are still no trains to Scotland from Carlisle.

Police have urged motorist not to become complacent as conditions in some parts are still treacherous.

Mountain rescue teams are co-ordinating snow-clearing operations with Cumbria Police and the county council.

The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association said volunteers had been working hard to get to stranded motorists and help get supplies to rural communities.

More than 100 people were rescued after dozens of vehicles became stranded near Brampton.

Mountain rescue team spokesman Richard Warren said volunteers were doing all they could in "dangerous conditions".

Members of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team worked for more than seven hours rescuing a man who had fallen on Dove Crag on Saturday.

A coastguard helicopter ended up being called out to help the 28-year-old, who had dislocated his shoulder.

Visitors to the Lake District have been urged only to head out in the wintry weather if they were experienced mountaineers with the correct equipment.

Cumbria County Council said several gritters and ploughs working to unblock snow-clogged roads in the Croglin, Renwick, Kirkoswald, Cumrew, Newbiggin areas, where some communities have been cut off for four days.

A spokesman said: "We are working hard to clear the significant snow drifts in these areas, but due to the sheer volume progress is very slow.

"The A689 Brampton to Alston road is now open and passable with care, but we ask that it is only used for essential trips such as replenishing supplies and gaining access to vulnerable friends and family."

Virgin West Coast said it was unable to operate any trains to Scotland from Carlisle. Services to Leeds on the Settle to Carlisle line have also been affected.

The company said it was hopeful some bus replacement services could begin later.

Problems on the trains were compounded on Saturday by a 24-hour strike by members of the RMT union who work for Northern.

The company said it was only able to operate about 50% of services on Saturday, with many of those subject to delay or cancellation because of the bad weather.

More than 8,000 properties across Cumbria were without electricity for a time after problems with overhead power lines.