Beast from the East: Updates for Friday 2 March

A baby in the Borders has been born on the way to hospital amidst a red weather warning and two feet of snowfall brought by the Beast from the East.

Muriel Masson had planned a home birth from her house in Yarrow Valley in the Scottish Borders, but when baby Aidan decided to come early those plans changed.

Murial had to be picked up by a special Scottish 4x4 ambulance to be taken to Borders General Hospital, but baby Aidan came so quickly she gave birth five miles from her home.

Drivers in Cumbria are now being advised they can travel on roads in the county with caution.

Back roads and high roads should still be avoided where possible.

The speed restrictions on the M6 have also been lifted, while many roads in the region remain closed.

• Full list of road closures in Cumbria.

Police Scotland are still advising motorists in the south of Scotland to think before they travel.

• Full list of road closures in southern Scotland.

Dozens of shops across Dumfries and Galloway are reported to have been without bread or milk supplies for the past two days, as the bad weather stops deliveries.

Areas affected are Nithsdale, Annandale, Eskdale and Kirkcudbrightshire.

This was the scene in Tesco in Dumfries.

A YELLOW weather warning for SNOW which covered much of the region now only covers the northern part of the Scottish Borders.

A further YELLOW warning for WIND in Cumbria has been lifted.

And a YELLOW warning for SNOW and ICE has been extended to the south of Scotland from Sunday into Monday.

• More information.

Hundreds of properties in Cumbria are without power after high winds and drifting snow have caused faults to power lines across the county.

Electricity North West say 3,000 properties are without power mainly in Cumbria and the Peak District.

Engineers have restored supplies to 12,000 properties, but there are still around 100 separate faults to be repaired.

• See here for more updates.

Drivers are being asked not to travel between Whitbeck and Bootle on the A595 because of strong winds.

Earlier this morning a wagon was blown on its side, on the same road, just south of Bootle. The driver is not believed to be injured.

A yellow warning for wind has been lifted by the Met Office, but wintry conditions are still being brought to the county by the 'Beast of the East' and Storm Emma.

Police have reported there is no fuel available at Golden Fleece Services on the M6 at J42 (Carlisle South).

Snow drifts covered many roads in Cumbria last night, making them impassable to motorists across the county.

Many A roads are still closed while emergency services work to get them open again.

• Full list of road closures in Cumbria.