An energy company planning to carry out fracking for shale gas in North Yorkshire has said its "door is open" to anyone with genuine concerns about its operations . 

Image source, PA

Third Energy secured permission in 2016 to use an existing gas well for test drilling near the village of Kirby Misperton.

It said: "We respect [their] right to protest, but [demonstrators] should respect our right to operate." 

The company plans to start fracking at its KM8 well later this year.

Director of operations at Third Energy, John Dewar (pictured), insisted the well would be drilled without disruption and that operations would have minimal impact.

Yorkshire Post

Northern Powerhouse minister Andrew Percy has been challenged to enter fresh talks to deliver "White Rose devolution" which could unleash Yorkshire’s potential, external .

Image source, Yorkshire Post

Charlotte Rose
Political reporter, BBC Radio Sheffield

Councillors in Doncaster have voted in favour of the authority's proposed 2017-18 revenue budget, meaning a rise in council tax.

It will increase by 4% - the lowest rise across South Yorkshire.

Leeds Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams says receiving her OBE from the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace today "means absolutely everything to me".

Image source, PA

The double Olympic gold medallist, who will contest her debut professional fight next month, has also won titles at the World, European and Commonwealth championships. 

Adams, 34, was awarded the OBE in the 2017 new year honours for her achievements in boxing.

Speaking after today's ceremony, she said: "When I received the letter in the post saying I'd been honoured with an OBE I was like: 'Wow, this is an amazing achievement'."

"You spend so many hours in the gym training, competing, winning medals and it's nice to think the country appreciates your efforts."

David Ward
MatchDay Live presenter

For most football supporters, the sight of your team at the bottom of the league with the prospect of relegation fills them with doom and gloom.

However, that's not how York City manager Gary Mills sees his side's current struggles in the National League.

The Minstermen are currently eight points from safety, having won just five matches all season.

All this on top of relegation from the Football League just 10 months ago.

But ahead of Saturday's game at home to Eastleigh, Mills is doing his best to find some positives in his side's perilous position:

A total of £1.5m is to be spent on parks and green spaces in Sheffield. 

Image source, Google

The cash will be released over the next three years and will be used to provide new and improved facilities, such as new play equipment at Norfolk Heritage Park.

It will also pay for new apprentices at the council's parks department. 

Mary Lea, cabinet menber for culture sport and leisure, says: "Parks contribute a significant amount to people's health and wellbeing so we need to make sure our parks are attractive, safe and have something in them which people want to do."

Mike Cartwright
BBC Look East

The jury at the trial of Stuart Jenkins, who is accused of murdering Arthur Brumhill in Northampton in 1993, has retired to consider its verdict.

Mr Jenkins, 41, of Ossett, West Yorkshire, denies killing the 76-year-old pet shop worker , who body was found in the basement of Denton's pet and garden shop on Wellingborough Road.

Mr Jenkins was arrested at the time, but was later released.

The former Army sergeant worked at the pet shop for about a month in 1992, aged 17, on a youth training scheme.

He denies murder.

BBC Travel

Lets get an update on the serious accident on the A19 north of Easingwold in North Yorkshire now.  

Image source, Google

Earlier we told you that the road would remain closed until the start of the afternoon after the air ambulance was called to the scene of an accident involving a car and a lorry.

We're now hearing that it remains closed in both directions close to Thormanby and will stay shut for some time.

If this changes, we'll let you know.

A man's died after an accident in Doncaster early this morning.

It happened on York Road at about 06:00 and involved a white Audi RS4 and a black Ford Mondeo. 

Another man's been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Dog owner suffered fatal injuries trying to protect pet.

Oli Constable
BBC Local Live, Yorkshire

There could soon be a new motorway service area in Doncaster after plans were submitted to the council.

Image source, Moto Hospitality

It will be at junction 37 of the A1(M) near Brodsworth.

Moto Hospitality have applied for planning permission for a WH Smith, M&S, Greggs, Burger King and a Costa Coffee drive-thru.

There will also be other food and retail outlets and seating.

Image source, Moto Hospitality

You've been sending us LOADS of your little ones (and big ones) dressing up as their favourite character from a book for World Book Day today.

Here's a little selection of them below:

David Ward
BBC Local Live, Yorkshire

A cutlery set with links to North Yorkshire has sold for twice as much as was expected at auction this lunchtime. 

Image source, Bulstrodes

The ornate knives and forks were given to the landlady of a hotel in Harrogate as a gift by the last Empress of Russia back in 1894.

They were expected to fetch around £10,000 but were bought by for £20,000 by an unnamed bidder.

Abbie Dewhurst
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North

This afternoon will be mainly dry and breezy across Yorkshire, with some sunny spells.

It'll feel chilly at times in the wind, though, with highs of about 8C (46F). 

The evening will be dry with winds easing, followed by a dry night with some clear spells.

Ricky Tomlinson has claimed late Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley was involved in an MI5 plot to have him jailed.  

Image source, Getty Images

The actor and trade union activist says a documentary fronted by the broadcaster was government propaganda that swayed a jury that convicted him for offences linked to the 1972 builders' strike.

However a campaigner who has spent a decade investigating the prosecutions said they had found no evidence to suggest Whiteley was connected to the security services "in any way".

His partner, Kathryn Apanowicz, said the claim was laughable, saying he could not have been a spy as he "couldn't keep a secret to save his life".

The broadcaster Gyles Brandreth is also dismissing the claims.

Yorkshire Evening Post

A landmark Leeds building which dates back to the 19th century has been bought by a developer as part of plans to rejuvenate a key city centre area, with the Grade I listed Corn Exchange bought for an undisclosed sum , external .

Image source, Roger Templeman/Geograph

Charlotte Rose
BBC Radio Sheffield Political Reporter

Doncaster Council is due to discuss next year's budget at a full council meeting today - and that will include plans to raise council tax.

If the budget's approved, it'll see a council tax increase of nearly 4% - that's lower than the other councils in South Yorkshire.

Nathan Turvey
BBC Radio York News

Earlier, we told you the amazing story of the North Yorkshire man who's become only the fourth person in the world to survive a pioneering multiple organ transplant .

Adam Alderson from Preston-under-Scar, near Leyburn, has told BBC Radio York he's lucky to be alive.

He was diagnosed with a rare cancer that starts in the appendix and given just two years to live. 

But after finding out about the pioneering surgery on the internet, he went under the knife for 17 hours and had a 10kg tumour removed. 

He says he's "lucky to be alive":

BBC Sport

Huddersfield Town's Championship fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers has been confirmed for Tuesday 25 April, external with a 19:45 kick-off at Molineux.

The match was originally scheduled for this midweek, but was moved due to Town's FA Cup fifth round replay at Manchester City last night.

York Road in Doncaster has reopened after an earlier crash.

The bad news is there are still severe delays on public transport.