About 700 fans gather as Leeds United face Liverpool, who have agreed to join the new league.

Two South Yorkshire Police officers have been injured and one man arrested following an incident on the M18 in South Yorkshire, it's been revealed.

It happened at about 09:35 on Sunday when firearms officers on routine patrol found a grey BMW 3 series car stationary in a live lane between Junction 1 of the M18 and the M1 link road.

The driver appeared to be unconscious and, believing he had suffered a "medical episode" at the wheel, officers forced entry to the car, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Acting Insp Tom Fisher said: "At this point, the car suddenly reversed and collided with the parked police vehicle."

The officers were forced into a live lane of traffic and suffered minor injuries, meanwhile the BMW was driven off, he added.

Soon after, traffic officers located the car again, this time stationary in a lane at Junction 33 of the M1.

Again, the driver, a 45-year-old man from Doncaster, appeared to have lost consciousness but awoke on officers' arrival.

He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs, assaulting an emergency worker and failing to stop for police and has since been released under investigation.

Anyone who saw the incidents or who has dash camera footage at either location is being asked to contact the South Yorkshire force.

Up to 300 jobs will be created with the building of a new automated warehouse in West Yorkshire, Marks and Spencer has said.

Image source, Reuters/Edgar Su/File Photo

The facility, within the retailer's existing Bradford distribution centre, would help to grow its online business, M&S added.

Due to open by Christmas, the warehouse will be able to dispatch more than 35,000 items of clothing a day.

Stephen Langford, director of M&S.com, said growing the firm's online business had "never been more important".

The Bradford site, which currently delivers both clothing and food to stores, was believed to be one of the largest warehouses in the UK when it opened in 2010.

The expansion means that, once operational, the site can also be used to fulfil online orders, supporting operations at the firm's Castle Donington warehouse in Leicestershire.

Mr Langford said the company was "transforming" its clothing business to be more relevant to customers.

An ex-South Yorkshire MP who sent inappropriate text messages to a female employee is to be stripped of his access to the House of Commons.

Image source, House of Commons

Former Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O'Mara stood down after Jennifer Barnes said she quit after a string of "uncomfortable" communications.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards said the messages amounted to an "abuse of power" and recommended Mr O'Mara lose his former member's pass.

Mr O'Mara did not appeal against the decision.

The 39-year-old was elected as the Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam in 2017, ousting former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

He quit the party in 2018 after he was suspended over alleged misogynistic and homophobic comments posted online.

Mr O'Mara remained an Independent MP until he stood down at the 2019 election.

In July 2019, Ms Barnes, who was briefly employed in Mr O'Mara's constituency office, lodged a complaint about inappropriate messages and approaches.

At the time, the MP apologised for his behaviour, saying he was "deeply ashamed" and had been in the midst of a complete "mental breakdown".

The commissioner's found his behaviour was "an abuse of power" and Mr O'Mara's failure to co-operate with the investigation was an aggravating factor in the recommendation to remove his pass.

She referred her findings to the Independent Expert Panel (IEP), which determines sanctions against MPs accused of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct.

The panel said the action was "appropriate and proportionate" due to aggravating features such as Mr O'Mara's "lack of remorse or insight and the refusal to engage".

A new automated warehouse in Bradford will dispatch 35,000 clothing items a day, the firm says.

Michael Henderson
BBC Radio Leeds News

The artistic director of Leeds Playhouse says he hopes the theatre has still managed to bring people together during the coronavirus pandemic despite being closed.

James Brining has been talking to BBC Radio Leeds' Gayle Lofthouse as venues across Yorkshire prepare to re-open in line with the government's roadmap.

Mr Brining says: "I think creativity is the thing that helps people get through this period of time, and just being positive and being engaged with each other.

"That's what people have really missed and that's what we've really tried to do over the last 12 months."

Listen to more of what Mr Brining has told Gayle Lofthouse here:

Meanwhile, the relaxation of lockdown has meant more artistic activities and classes have been able to resume in Leeds.

Last week Opera North, which is also based in the city, ran its first workshop for young people since last year.

Youth company manager Marie Lemaire says: "We've been on Zoom since September with over 120 children carrying on rehearsals and bringing directors and composers in to teach new skills.

"But, for sure, it's nothing compared to being all in a room, singing together."

Mr Irons, 32, died after being stabbed at Fretson Green in the Manor area on Saturday, police say.

Carl Chadwick, 35, of no fixed address, is charged with murdering Sarah Keith, 26, in Leeds.

A man who died in Sheffield at the weekend has been named by police as 32-year-old Daniel Irons.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Mr Irons was found stabbed at Fretson Green in the Manor area of Sheffield at about 00:35 BST on Saturday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said.

A 28-year-old Sheffield man arrested on Saturday in connection with Mr Irons' death was released yesterday but remains under investigation.

Det Ch Insp Mark Oughton, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "If you were in the Fretson Green area between midnight and 01:00 on Saturday and think you saw something suspicious, please get in touch.

"Even the slightest bit of information could really help us progress our investigation.”

The 18-year-old was injured on Tuesday night in the Swarcliffe area of Leeds.

National League North side York City has jokingly said it will not be playing in a newly-announced elite football competition.

Image source, George Wood/Getty Images

Six Premier League clubs have agreed to join the new breakaway European Super League, which will see 20 of the biggest clubs in Europe play against each other.

The move has been widely condemned by the footballing world.

The Yorkshire side, which currently sits in the sixth tier of the football pyramid, jokingly posted on social media it will not be playing in the elite league.

Fans of the club "thanked" the side for the stance, with many finding the funny side to the post.

Many independent pubs in the Bradford area won't open until rules are further relaxed next month, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

Since 12 April, outdoor hospitality venues have been allowed to reopen, with pubs using beer gardens or converting their car parks to create seated space for customers.

Rules for customers include being seated when ordering, eating or drinking, and you must follow either the rule of six, or be in a a group of any size with no more than two households present.

For some businesses this has led to needing extra staff for table service and limited space which means they can't make a profit, Camra said.

Restrictions could change on 17 May to allow customers to eat and drink indoors, providing coronavirus goals are met.

Peter Down, chairman of Camra in Bradford, said some larger, chain businesses have benefited from changes to the VAT rate, including a temporary 15% saving on food sales.

"They already have not been working on the same playing field as the bigger pub companies.

"A lot of the smaller pubs primarily serve drinks, they do not tend to offer that much in the way of food. As a result, they have not been benefiting from the 5% VAT on the sales of food."

Two men have been charged in connection with a machete attack in Leeds which left a man with a severed hand.

Image source, YAPPAPP

The teenage victim was seriously injured in the attack on Stanks Parade, Swarcliffe, on 13 April.

The 18-year-old was attacked by a person with a machete, police said.

A man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, with a second man being charged with violent disorder, police added.

Both men are due to appear in court this morning.

A 24-year-old man has previously appeared in court charged with with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.

He is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court next month.

Saracens' full complement of England internationals lead them to a big win at Doncaster in the Championship.

In the 70 years since its designation, the park's wild vistas have proved restorative for many.

Sheffield United's relegation to the Championship is confirmed with defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On-loan Rangers winger Josh McPake earns Harrogate a first win in eight in a 2-1 success at the expense of Bradford City.

Fejiri Okenabirhie comes back to haunt his former employers in Doncaster's win at Shrewsbury - their first in 10 outings.

Tyreeq Bakinson snatches a late equaliser for 10-man Bristol City and deals Sheffield Wednesday's hopes of escaping relegation a severe blow.

Jacob Newson took control of the Piper PA-28 Cherokee for about 'five to 10 seconds'.