THESE are the top ten best stories the Westmorland Gazette has published this week:

Plans for new supermarket to be halted after hundreds of objections

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for a new supermarket to be built in Kendal is to be scuppered after 714 objections were raised.

A re-submission of a previously withdrawn application to build a new Co-op supermarket in the grounds of the Duke of Cumberland pub on Shap Road is to be recommended for refusal when the matter goes before South Lakeland District Council's Planning Committee on Thursday.

Read more here.

Title of poshest place in Cumbria 'comes at a price for locals'

THE results of research into the 'poshest' places in each UK county have been called into question by a prominent business owner in one such-named Cumbrian town.

According to research published by estate agents Savills on the most desirable place to live in each county, Hawkshead is the 'poshest' place to live in Cumbria, and among the top in the UK.

Read more here.

Man locked-in at Oxenholme: 'it's gone downhill since Virgin left'

ANOTHER passenger involved in the Oxenholme lock-in incident went on record to question Avanti West Coast's status as a franchise holder. 

Kerry Francis, from Kendal, was travelling up from a Preston North End game on the fateful train that has since become national news. 

Read more here.

Flood defence works completed at 'valuable riverside location' - WATCH

WORK on Kendal's £76 million flood defence project is continuing apace as the completion of a central riverside section has been completed.

The Environment Agency has announced the completion of planned work at Waterside Flats in Kendal in a statement released today (Monday, August 23).

Read more here.

Construction work appears in the River Kent - here's why

THE CONSTRUCTION of a temporary bridge over the River Kent in Kendal is underway as part of the town's Flood Risk Management Scheme.

The Environment Agency has updated its Floodhub website to inform the public that the purpose of the bridge is to enable contractors to install the glass-panelled flood wall on the Waterside section of the river.

Read more here.

Pub closed after selling alcohol without a licence

A pub which allegedly sold alcohol without a licence has been forced to close its doors.

Following an application by Craven District Council, Harrogate Magistrates Court called time on The Punch Bowl Public House, in Eskew Lane, Low Bentham. The premises are now closed until further notice.

Read more here.

'The river as an ecosystem is dead' - campaign group slams flood works

AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaign group in Kendal has said that residents are only now realising the 'disastrous impact' that the flood defence work is having on the town's environment.

Save The Heart of Kendal, a group that opposed the Environment Agency's £76 million Flood Risk Management Scheme, has dubbed the recent felling of trees on Aynam Road as the latest "environmental crime" committed by the EA during the flood works.

Read more here.

M&S worker who refused Ulverston move wins constructive dismissal claim

A MARKS and Spencer worker who refused to move to the company's new store in Ulverston has won a claim of constructive dismissal.

William Carswell resigned instead of moving to the new food hall, saying he could not use public transport because it gave him anxiety.

Read more here.

Emergency services called to accident at major tourist attraction

PARAMEDICS called Coniston Mountain Rescue to assist with an incident at a popular Lake District tourist attraction.

CMRT took to social media about the incident, which happened just after 5 pm at Grizedale Forest.

Read more here.

Haunted pub creates a new 'local celebrity' after TV appearance

A SPOOKY viral video has seen sales surge at an historic Kendal pub after it featured on a popular TV breakfast show.

The Ring o' Bells, in Kirkland, has long had a ghostly reputation, being one of the only pubs in England built on hallowed ground, and manager Scott Dawson was shocked to field a call from producers of ITV's This Morning after a CCTV clip he had posted on Facebook in May grabbed their attention.

Read more here.