Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Leeds Beckett University.

Image source, Leeds Beckett University

Mr Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2019, two years after ending his playing career by helping Leeds Rhinos to a record-extending eighth Super League Grand Final in autumn 2017.

Peter Mackreth, dean of the Carnegie School of Sport, said of the honorary doctorate award: “Rob has inspired athletes and the public in Leeds, Yorkshire and throughout the country.

"Not only a competitor on the field who gave his all for the team, he is selflessly taking on his newest challenge head-on, to improve the lives of those living with Motor Neurone Disease.”

On receiving the award, Mr Burrow said: "It is a huge honour and privilege to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University. I am very grateful for the support of everyone at the university."

Honorary Doctorates at Leeds Beckett are conferred on individuals whose achievements reflect the values of the university or on individuals who have made a positive impact on Leeds or the region.

Mr Burrow received the award from Sir Bob Murray CBE, chancellor of Leeds Beckett University and Professor Peter Slee, vice chancellor of Leeds Beckett University in an online ceremony attended by his family.

People are being urged to keep away from Fossway in York just now due to a fire.

Image source, Google

The road is currently closed at the Montrose Avenue and Pottery Lane junctions, according to North Yorkshire Police.

Emergency services are at the scene and a number of flats have been evacuated, the force adds.

A woman in her 30s has been arrested in connection with the incident, police say.

Featherstone take on Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup first round, a competition dear to Australian head coach James Webster.

Campaigners say the amount spent on partially infilling the tunnel is a "scandalous waste of money".

A police officer has been seriously injured in Harrogate after approaching a "suspicious vehicle".

Image source, Google

Officers approached a vehicle containing three occupants in Bewerley Road at about 15:20 on Tuesday, police said.

As they did, the vehicle, a green Vauxhall Insignia, was driven off and collided with one of the officers knocking him to the ground, according to North Yorkshire Police.

The officer was taken to hospital with a serious leg injury.

The vehicle was found a short time later and three people, aged 24, 30 and 35, all from Leeds, were arrested in connection with the incident, officers confirmed.

Anyone with any information about the incident is being asked to contact police.

Barrister's cat Columbo becomes a legal star since his unlikely appearance during a virtual hearing.

A 24-year-old man is critically ill in hospital after being hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing in Sheffield.

Image source, Google

The man was taken to hospital after he was hit by a blue coloured Suzuki Jimny at the junction with London Road and St Mary’s Gate just after 15:00 on Sunday, according to South Yorkshire Police.

A police spokesperson said he remains in a critical condition.

They added: "We are appealing for anyone who saw the collision to contact us. In particular, we'd like to hear from anyone who was driving in the area at the time and has dash camera footage."

Police believe Claudia, who disappeared in 2009, was murdered but her body has never been found.

BBC Radio Bradford

A four-year-old girl from Bradford is aiming to raise money for a mental health charity by cycling 100 miles.

Image source, Keeley Ellis

When Chelsea found out her mum Keeley had struggled with her mental health in the past, she decided to help out using her bike, which she's named Bob.

So far, Chelsea's raised over £500 for the mental health charity Rethink,, external which helped her mum in her teenage years.

Keeley says: "A lot of people were getting anxious with the situation at the moment, and I explained to her that people do sometimes feel a bit sad and need a bit of help to get better.

"I told Chelsea a bit about when I was younger and I felt quite bad, and she just wanted to help people who were like Mummy and make them feel better."

Chelsea's also been drawing pictures of for her neighbours during lockdown, which she says makes them happy.

Listen to Chelsea's full interview with Rima Ahmed on BBC Radio Bradford here.

A milestone 100,000th Covid injection is due to be administered to a patient at a mass vaccine centre in York today.

When the total's reached, it will mean one in every 250 of the UK's jabs has been given to patients at the city's Askham Bar site, according to health officials.

A ceremony planned to mark the occasion will include former BBC Look North presenter and deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Harry Gration.

Madeline Ruff, the chief executive of Nimbus care, which runs the site, said: "It's all down to our wonderful nurses, staff and volunteers across York who've made this possible.

"We've got more than 300 volunteers registered with us and they've made a massive difference - I can't thank them enough for their support."

An officer sustains a serious leg injury when he approaches a "suspicious vehicle" in Harrogate.

The pandemic has hit coffee shop chains hard, but some smaller businesses are thriving.

Oxford make up ground on the League One play-off places with a Matty Taylor-inspired 3-0 demolition job of Doncaster.

A York MP says a new policing bill - which parliament will vote on today - needs to do more to protect victims of grooming.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will be voted on amid controversy about the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil in London at the weekend.

The new bill includes longer prison terms for some offences and stronger laws to tackle sex offenders.

But Labour says it will vote against it because of concerns over the right to protest, as well as what the party says are a lack of measures to protect women.

Speaking in the House of Commons, York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said not enough is being done to protect victims of grooming.

Ms Maskell cited the case of one of her own constituents, saying: "My constituent received private tuition music coaching and was groomed for two years prior to being raped.

"Their case was one of the 99% of rape cases reported but not prosecuted. Her perpetrator, now known for sexual impropriety, had no Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, external."

A Met police officer is due to go on trial in the autumn accused of the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old marketing executive, who was originally from York, vanished as she walked home alone in Clapham on 3 March. Her body was found a week later in Kent woodland.

Wayne Couzens, 48, of Deal, appeared at the Old Bailey via a videolink from Belmarsh Prison.

The judge set a plea hearing date for 9 July and a provisional trial for 25 October.

In the short hearing, Mr Couzens spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

An inquest into the death of Ms Everard is likely to be opened later this week, Kent County Council has said.

A consultant says "unprecedented numbers" of youngsters in mental anguish are being admitted to A&E.

BBC Radio Bradford

People in poorer areas of Bradford have less access to green space than those in more affluent areas, a study has found.

Image source, Google

The research as part of the Born in Bradford project suggests the disparity means people in the city who are members of South Asian communities have access to fewer places like parks.

The green space provision in more deprived areas of Bradford tends to be of poorer quality, the study has found.

There's concern this could contribute to other health inequalities, with fewer people using "poor quality" spaces, the study says.

Rosie McEachan, director of Born in Bradford, says: "Safety was a key issue. Some parts of green space across the district are 'no-go areas'.

"There's not much point in having a green space if you don't use it and we know that families are less likely to use green spaces if they're scared about going to those spaces or if those spaces are poorly maintained."

The victim dies six days after being brought out of a flat above burning shops

Sarah Wakefield
BBC Radio Leeds News

A new cafe which aims to help people suffering from anxiety, depression and stress is going to be opened in Leeds city centre.

The Better Days cafe in the Grand Arcade will open for takeaway drinks in mid-April, but will fully open in May, depending on coronavirus restrictions.

Vicky Fytche, a mental health coach who is behind the venture, says: "There has been a big rise in stress due to people maybe losing their jobs or being on furlough, which has resulted in financial difficulties.

"The demand for well-being workshops has increased during the pandemic. People have been anxious because we are generally unsure about what is going to happen moving forward."

Workshops to be held at the cafe will help people understand the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, Ms Fytche added.

Met officer Wayne Couzens will next appear at the Old Bailey on 9 July for a plea hearing.