A "bold vision" for a new Northern Powerhouse railway station on the St James market site in Bradford has been outlined by the council's leader.

Image source, Bradford Council

The ambitious plan for the high speed rail link to replace the city's rail Interchange could be ready by 2030, Susan Hinchcliffe said.

Ms Hinchcliffe said a new rail link would connect Bradford to cities in the north and south of the country.

She said it was "the right vision for this new era of new Britain".

Bradford council said the city's case for a new station and inclusion in a Northern Powerhouse rail link would add millions to the economy and create 27,000 extra jobs.

The cost of the new station was estimated to be around £500m by the council.

Ms Hinchcliffe said Bradford was one of the fastest-growing, youngest and most diverse cities in the country.

The council leader added: "Our vision for Bradford is bold. A new rail station built in a decade with an extended city centre that will help us become better-connected and more prosperous."

A woman in her 20s has been sexually assaulted in countryside near Leeds, police say.

The victim was walking on Cliffe Drive in Rawdon, between Woodlands Drive and Rawdon Hall Drive, at about 19:00 on Sunday when she was grabbed by a man and the assault took place.

The woman's attacker was disturbed when her phone rang and he ran off down Cliffe Drive.

The woman ran back the way she had come across Rawdon golf course and called a friend. She returned home and contacted police.

The man is described as being in his 20s to 40s, wearing all black clothing, with the bottom of his face covered with a mask or snood.

Det Insp Amanda Wimbles said: "We are treating this incident very seriously and are carrying out extensive inquiries to identify the man responsible for this attack.

"The victim has been left distressed and we have specially-trained officers supporting her.

"This is an area of countryside that is popular for walks and we would like to hear from anyone who was in the area around sunset when the incident occurred and saw anything that could assist the investigation."

Patrols are being increased in the area to help reassure local residents, Det Insp Wimbles added.

Bradford must be included in any northern Powerhouse rail project and have a new station, a council leader says.

Swinton's Challenge Cup second-round tie with Oldham and York's visit to London Broncos are to be streamed by the BBC on Sunday, 28 March.

BBC Radio Bradford

A new web-based system is being introduced in a bid to further improve safety at Bradford's markets.

Image source, Bradford Markets

The custom-built tool will allow market staff and traders to instantly report safety concerns, such as trip hazards, via a mobile device.

Safety officials will then be able to review photos of incidents remotely and prioritise where to take action.

In the past, safety responses would take the form of site visits and time-consuming administration.

Bradford's markets service worked with the software developers to reduce the process, and it's hoped it can be rolled out across the country.

Rob Carr, who created the online tool, said: “Markets typically don’t have any web-based solutions for monitoring incidents around the site and Market Manager addresses and solves these issues.

“We hope other markets across the UK will follow Bradford’s lead and see the benefits in the performance management of their market.”

A total of 200,000 saplings have been planted in Leeds over the past year as part of the city councils climate change ambitions, it's been revealed.

Image source, Leeds City Council

The authority says it aims to increase tree cover in Leeds from 17% to 33% by working with landowners, businesses, communities and volunteers as well as the White Rose Forest partnership.

A total of 66 sites have been planted over the past year, including in East End Park, Stanningley Park, Nunroyd Park and Kippax Common.

The trees planted will be cared for by the council’s gardeners as they grow to become well established woodlands.

Councillor Mohammad Rafique, executive member for environment, said: “I am delighted to see our initiative get off to such a strong start this year.

“As well as tackling climate change, tree planting will also have huge benefits to the health and well-being of residents."

Councillor Helen Hayden, council lead on climate change, said: “Climate change presents our city with an unprecedented challenge and I am delighted communities in Leeds have had the chance to lead by example and get involved in tree planting."

An amateur astronomer has taken "one of his best" photos of the Orion Nebula from his Yorkshire garden during lockdown.

Image source, Russell Atkin

Describing his newest picture of the gas cloud, Russell Atkin, from Sheffield, said: "You can see this with your naked eye, but not in this detail."

"It's the closest region of star birth to Earth and it's about 1,350 light years away."

Image source, Russell Atkin

Mr Atkin's photographs capture light emitted from stars before William the Conqueror, Joan of Arc and before the Vikings discovered Greenland.

His photos have been shared in local Facebook groups, attracting comments from amazed viewers.

"I'm not surprised at the response because these things do wow people," he said.

A pedestrian's died after being hit by a car in Bradford while crossing the road, police say.

Image source, Google

Emergency services were called just before 22:00 on Friday to Parkfield Road at the junction with Sahara Court in Manningham, after a black Volkswagen Touran hit a man crossing the road, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The pedestrian died as a result of his injuries, police said.

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire force said: "Any witnesses to the collision or the movements of the vehicle prior to the collision and anyone with dashcam footage are asked to call police."

Eight-time winners Chelsea move into the FA Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought home win against Sheffield United.

Russell Atkin has spent his lockdown sharing photos of space captured from his back garden.

Darren Moore clinches his first victory as Sheffield Wednesday manager as two goals from Jordan Rhodes gave them a derby win at Barnsley.

Doncaster's winless run extends to four games despite coming from two goals down to draw at fellow play-off hopefuls Gillingham.

Bradford and Oldham cancel each other out in a goalless draw at Valley Parade in League Two.

Carlos Mendes Gomes' 13th goal of the season earns Morecambe a 1-0 victory at Harrogate in League Two.

Operators in northern England and the Midlands get grant as they continue with low passenger numbers.

Broomhill Infant School in Sheffield says it cancelled the plans before haircuts took place on site.

Peter Lorimer, who has died aged 74, will be remembered as one of the most explosive and influential members of the greatest side in Leeds United's history.

After 110 years of trading on the high street Thorntons is closing its remaining 61 shops.

Patrick Bamford scores one and sets up the other goal as Leeds beat Fulham to move up to 11th in the Premier League.

A West Yorkshire woman, made redundant three times during the pandemic, has found her "dream role" after calling in to a radio phone-in.

Image source, Annabelle Smith

Annabelle Smith, 29, from Leeds, lost her job as a marketing manager in March, a property company role in May and finally as an assistant gym manager in December.

Ms Smith said she was "despondent" after successfully researching, applying and interviewing for jobs, only to lose them when a new round of lockdown restrictions kicked in.

After taking part in a careers discussion on BBC Radio 5 Live, she was offered a job by one of the panellists, Catherine Shuttleworth, who runs marketing agency Get Savvy, which is also based in Leeds.

Her new employer said she liked Ms Smith's "energy and tenacity" on the radio.

"I wanted to help her out and give her some advice, but as we were talking I found out about her experience and it fitted what we were looking for," she said.

"A vacant position turned up and so it seemed like an opportunity."

After an interview and formal job offer, Ms Smith has started her "dream role" at the agency.

"It was surreal," she said. "Neither of us knew we were going to be on the show. It was almost fate."