We look at the tier two restrictions imposed in parts of Yorkshire and the reasons for them.

The imposition of extra coronavirus restrictions for South Yorkshire comes as "no surprise", according to the leader of Barnsley Council.

Image source, Reuters/Molly Darlington

From Saturday, the whole of South Yorkshire will move into tier three - the highest level of the coronavirus alert system.

It means people living in the region won't be able to meet other households, and some venues will have to close.

Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said: "Although these additional restrictions come as no surprise, it's difficult to see our borough in such a severe situation.

"We understand the impact this virus is having on people's daily lives and on jobs and businesses, but Barnsley cases are spreading from young to old, putting more lives in danger, leading to more people in our hospital, more people becoming seriously ill, and sadly more people dying.

"We must act now to save lives and prevent our NHS from being overwhelmed," he added.

There have been "no meaningful negotiations" between the government and local leaders around the new coronavirus restrictions, according to Rotherham Council.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

From Saturday, Rotherham and the rest of South Yorkshire are to move into tier three - the highest level of the coronavirus alert system.

It means different households cannot mix, with some pubs and bars having to close unless they serve substantial meals.

Chris Read, leader of the council, said there is nothing in the announcement today that the government could not have decided to introduce days ago.

He said he understands why the restrictions have been brought in with an "alarming increase" in the coronavirus infection rates in the town.

He added: "There have been no meaningful negotiations with local leaders. It has become clear over the last few days during our conversations with government that they already had a template of measures and funding in mind."

Live reaction as South Yorkshire agrees move to 'very high' Covid alert level

BBC Weather

A cloudy, wet, day with spells of showers and heavy rain, with strong winds later in the afternoon.

It'll be cloudy with clear spells and the chance of isolated showers in the evening with winds increasing through the night:

An announcement on whether South Yorkshire will face tougher coronavirus restriction is expected to be made later this morning, the Communities Secretary has said.

Image source, Danny Lawson PA Wire

South Yorkshire is currently under Tier 2 restrictions.

Robert Jenrick MP told BBC Breakfast: "In the last 48-hours I've had productive conversations with local leaders in South Yorkshire and I'm hopeful we'll reach an agreement there this morning.

"We've had quite detailed conversations through the course of yesterday and this morning and I expect an announcement to be made by the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, later this morning."

Speaking last night a spokesperson for the Sheffield City Region said: “Mayor Dan Jarvis, the leaders of South Yorkshire’s local authorities and the Government have been in extensive and constructive talks over the coronavirus alert level for the region.

"These talks continue as all sides seek to agree a plan which will protect lives, jobs and our NHS. Full details will be announced as soon as the restrictions and guidance are confirmed.”

Police searching for missing York man Joseph Cafferkey say they have found a body.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

Officers were called to the River Ouse near the Blue Bridge, in York, at lunchtime yesterday, where the body of a man was recovered.

The North Yorkshire force says the body is yet to be formally identified, but is believed to be that of 72-year-old Mr Cafferkey who was last seen on 30 September.

Police say his family has been informed.

A project to find descendants of Sheffield's cutlery makers has unearthed many new stories.

Nottingham Forest and Rotherham share the points as Chris Hughton's first home game as Reds boss ends in a Championship draw.

Billy Clarke earns Bradford a 1-1 draw against Walsall with a second-half penalty.

Huddersfield Town continue their good recent form with a narrow victory over struggling Derby County.

Owners of flats with flammable cladding are angry they may have to pay towards the cost of replacing it.

Harrogate Town continue their promising start to life in League Two with a win at Grimsby Town.

Ipswich see their unbeaten start to the season ended in devastating fashion as they are beaten 4-1 by Doncaster.

A city-wide review of statues in Leeds has not identified any individuals who were central to the slave trade.

The review was commissioned in response to the Black Lives Matter protests and the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol.

It did, however, identify a "degrading" frieze in Park Row depicting "an African lifting a bale".

The panel also felt the city's statues "over-celebrated Empire, Christianity and 'great' white men".

The review was led by Leeds' first black councillor Alison Lowe and was announced the day after a statue of Queen Victoria in Woodhouse Moor was sprayed with graffiti including the words "murderer" and "slave owner" (pictured).

The report , externalstated: "The current statuary of Leeds research (to date) has not identified any individuals who were central to the slave trade - even if many were the beneficiaries of hereditary wealth and colonialism more broadly.

"This is due at least partly because Leeds is not a port and did not rely on, or benefit substantially from, either sugar or cotton industries (with the notable exception of Harewood House)."

However, it said the frieze on the former West Riding Union Building "is considered degrading of black people and is also thought to celebrate Leeds's colonial past".

This was the moment a flock of sheep brought traffic to a stop in a Yorkshire Dales town yesterday lunchtime.

The animals were being moved between fields, blocking the road in Hawes, North Yorkshire.

Tim Lee, who filmed the video, jokingly asked a farmer walking behind the sheep if they "stopped at the traffic lights":

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Control over two of the biggest entertainment venues on the North Yorkshire coast is to go back into the hands of Scarborough Council.

The borough authority’s cabinet today gave the green light for its agreement with Sheffield City Trust (SCT), which has run Scarborough Spa and Whitby Pavilion on its behalf since 2012, to be terminated.

Earlier this month, Sheffield City Council told SCT, which it subsidises, that it must end its loss-making contract with Scarborough Council “as soon as possible” before it will commit to further funding.

It follows decisions by the city council to give up to £16.6m to SCT this financial year, which is £11.6m more than budgeted for.

Today, the borough council’s cabinet backed the move to bring the venues, along with the Spa Cliff Lift and Peasholm Cafe, back under the authority’s control from 1 January 2021

Image source, Sheffield City Trust

Councillor Steve Siddons said: “Out of the problems that have been created here over the last six to nine months, as always there are opportunities and we have to take those opportunities.”

He said the venues were “jewels in the crown” of the resorts and welcomed the chance to look at how they are run.

Leeds United and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is ruled out for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury.

Leeds Bradford Airport says the decision has been taken to safeguard the business.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man died following a crash in Rotherham yesterday.

The 72-year-old was found in cardiac arrest after a crash involving a grey Lexus NX on Todwick Road, Dinnington, at about 12:50 on Monday.

The man was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital, police say.

It's thought the car crossed the carriageway before colliding with the trees and hedges, South Yorkshire Police added.

The man could have been at the waste disposal site before heading onto Todwick Road, according to police who say they are keen to speak to any witnesses.