OUTBREAKS of snow and rain are expected in the coming days as Storm Emma continues to wreak havoc around Cumbria.

High tides and strong winds saw coastal areas around Barrow and Walney battered by the sea, while police issued a number of warnings for people not to take to the roads after a number of weather-related incidents around the county and on the M6.

Officers urged people to only travel if absolutely necessary as snow and wind continue to affect the county's road network.

Police officers and other emergency services have been working around the clock to clear the snow-related problems.

Superintendent Mark Pannone, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: "This is not the normal snowfall Cumbria sees most years, it is making condition treacherous and I ask you not to drive unless your health, or the health of someone else, would suffer if you didn’t.

"We rarely say don’t drive and we hope that on this occasion people will take heed.

"Over the last 48 hours the police, mountain rescue, fire and rescue, councils and other partner agencies have been out working to keep the public safe.

"We have been dealing with a high level of weather related incidents including numerous road traffic collisions, many roads are hazardous, and so I state again, please do not drive unless you absolutely have to."

The M6 throughout the whole of Cumbria, in both directions, was reduced to one lane overnight into Friday morning, with speed restrictions in place.

Following gritting and ploughing and the removal of vehicles involved in collisions the lanes reopened during Friday, but the speed restrictions remain in place until further notice.

A police spokesman said: "Although the snow is forecast to ease today, there are strong winds and low temperatures creating snow flurries, ice, and there are reports of trees having fallen in the wind.

"The advice remains unchanged, only travel if it is essential and to drive to the conditions of the road in front of you.

"Emergency services and partner agencies have been out overnight gritting road, ploughing, rescuing stranding individuals, providing supplies to vulnerable people and attending incidents."

Superintendent Matt Kennerley said: "I want to thank the people of Cumbria for their support and cooperation during this ongoing adverse weather.

"I also want to thank officers and all of our partner agencies who’s response has been overwhelming, with many putting themselves in danger to assist the public and keep Cumbria safe.

"We would still urge you not to drive unless it is essential, we are all working hard to get roads safely reopened."

Train services were also severely hit, with delays for commuters travelling around the Furness peninsular, and a number of cancellations from services from Carlisle.

Virgin Trains suspended services north of Carlisle to Scotland on Thursday, and commuters were again badly affected throughout Friday.

Storm Emma brought with her more adverse weather on Thursday night as she clashed with the so-called Beast from the East, which had left the county covered in several inches of snow.

The wind caused a snowstorm-like effect in many places.

The cold weather is expected to continue throughout the weekend, with a maximum temperature of 3°C is expected on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "It is set to be another cold day on Saturday, but the winds will be a little lighter.Rather cloudy with further snow showers, but these becoming less frequent through the day.

"It will stay cold into the new week with often cloudy skies and further snow showers likely at times.

"Winds will become lighter, but frosts will remain widespread and severe."

Electricity North West also reported more than 100 faults on their network, leaving up to 15,000 people without power for a number of hours on Friday.

The biggest individual problem was in Kirkby Lonsdale , where 345 properties were left without power.

It was business as usual for many schools around south Cumbria on Friday, although Burlington Church of England Primary School in Kirkby remained closed, as did the Lakes School in Windermere.

University of Cumbria's Ambleside campus also remained closed.

The continued winds and freezing conditions also saw Barrow AFC's National League clash with Eastleigh postponed.

The game was due to take place at Holker Street at 3pm but, like many games in the league this weekend, fell victim to the conditions.

On Thursday night officers had to help rescue a stranded motorist on the A69 and helped save 16 people who'd become trapped on a train near Brampton, which was one of the worst affected areas.