The military is being called in to take emergency supplies to “extremely isolated” parts of Cumbria after severe weather wreaked havoc across the area.

Farmer Peter Laidlaw from Craigannet Farm in the Carron Valley near Stirling travels to feed his livestock (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Farmer Peter Laidlaw from Craigannet Farm in the Carron Valley near Stirling travels to feed his livestock (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Sheep run through the snow on Craigannet Farm in the Carron Valley near Stirling (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Sheep run through the snow on Craigannet Farm in the Carron Valley near Stirling (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Jimmy Feeney from the Carron Valley Fishery inspects his snow covered boats near Stirling, following the recent severe weather (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Jimmy Feeney from the Carron Valley Fishery inspects his snow covered boats near Stirling, following the recent severe weather (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Jimmy Feeney delivers coal to a remote cottage near Stirling (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Jimmy Feeney delivers coal to a remote cottage near Stirling (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The county council said areas including Fellside, South Stainmore and Alston had been cut off for five days – and would remain so for another 48 hours – after heavy snowfall and slow progress in clearing the roads.

(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Crew members prepare to board the Chinook (Owen Humphreys/PA)

A Chinook helicopter has been brought in to drop supplies, including food, coal and logs for heating and electrical heating appliances.

(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Supplies were loaded at Carlisle airport (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “We have some communities who have now been stranded for five days and we have to do all we can to ensure that they are safe and well.

Winter weather March 5th 2018
A crew member waves to people on the ground in Nenthead, Cumbria, from the rear of an RAF Chinook helicopter (Owen Humphreys/PA)

“Despite our very best efforts and our crews working day and night we are experiencing ongoing significant challenges in accessing some of our communities.

(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Drifting snow has made road clearing difficult (Owen Humphreys/PA)

“The depth of snow and the challenging nature of the terrain is making progress on clearing roads exceptionally slow.”

(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Homeowners watch over a snowblower at Parkhead near Kirkoswald (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Winter weather March 5th 2018
Much needed supplies are handed over to residents near Nenthead (Owen Humphrys/PA)
Winter weather March 5th 2018
Rescue workers deliver supplies to homes to Garrigill in Cumbria (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Winter weather March 5th 2018
One of the homes near Nenthead in Cumbria, which remains cut off after recent heavy snow (Owen Humphrys/PA)