A multi-million pound centre featuring electron microscopy has opened at the University of Sheffield, external.

Image source, University of Sheffield

The unit will be used to "exploit recent scientific developments that have revolutionised our ability to visualise the inner workings of living things."

Students will be able to analyse cell structures of bacteria pathogens that lead to diseases such as C. difficile associated diarrhoea, MRSA and food poisoning.

Tadcaster-based brewer and pub-chain operator Samuel Smith is facing legal action. It's after it was accused of failing to provide pension information to regulators.

Image source, Google

The Samuel Smith Group and its chairman have been called to Brighton Magistrates' Court by The Pensions Regulator for allegedly not handing over financial details.

The watchdog says without the documents, it can't assess funding levels of some of the firm's pension schemes.

The company and chairman Humphrey Smith will both face a charge of neglecting or refusing to provide information and documents without a reasonable excuse under the Pensions Act 2004.

They've been summonsed to appear in court on the 15th of May.

Samuel Smith has not responded to a request for comment.

A Bradford man who seriously injured two people on two occasions by dangerous driving - running away from the scene both times - has been jailed for seven years.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Waqas Hussain, 23 of Spencer Road in Lidget Green, was sentenced today at Bradford Crown Court.

In July last year Hussain was drinking vodka behind the wheel of his VW Golf as he raced an identical car around Clayton - a 20-year-old woman was in the car with him, she described them as "driving like lunatics".

Hussain crashed in the Bradford Road area, smashed into a tree, a cast iron post box and garage.

His passenger was left unconscious with a dislocated shoulder, a broken wrist and a broken foot.

Hussain ran off and went into hiding from the police.

In February this year he was involved in a police pursuit between Bradford and Dewsbury with speeds of up to 80mph - Hussain hit two pedestrians as they crossed the road, injuring one so badly he couldn't work for at least six months.

It was after this crash he was arrested and appeared for sentencing at Bradford Crown Court today.

About two dozen people turned out to protest in York this morning against the use of biomass technology at Drax power station near Selby.

Environmental groups were handing out leaflets ahead of the company's annual meeting.

Image source, Drax Power Station

Drax says it's invested heavily to make sure it complies with all air emission limits and the wooden pellets it uses come from sustainable forests.

A pony's recovering in North Yorkshire equine hospital after it was the victim of a suspected acid attack.

Image source, Rainbow Equine Hospital

The animal was found dumped in a yard in Derbyshire with serious injuries.

Vets at Malton's Rainbow Equine Hospital say the horse was rescued yesterday after a call from a passer-by.

It received urgent treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

It comes a day after the RSPCA released figures showing there were more than 500 complaints about cruelty to horses in North Yorkshire last year.

David Spereall
Local Democracy Reporter

Farmers in Wakefield are partly to blame for problems created by illegal traveller sites around Wakefield, a senior council officer has suggested.

Image source, Getty Images

Ian Garratt said that some farmers were selling land to groups who then set up camps without permission.

It was revealed at a public meeting that the council "hadn't yet satisfied demand" for the growing numbers of travellers in the area.

As a result, inspectors are increasingly allowing travellers to stay on land they've moved on to while they apply for retrospective planning permission.

Mr Garratt said that some farmers are selling off part of their estates to travellers, something the council has no control over.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani says the decision to go on a post-season tour of Myanmar was "carefully considered".

Soldiers from the British Army's largest garrison have been greeted by hundreds of people during the first-ever Freedom Parade in Richmond.

Image source, British Army

The Freedom of Richmond was awarded to Catterick Garrison to commemorate the centenary of the ending of the First World War.

Image source, British Army

More than 200 troops from major units based at the garrison marched from Nuns Close car park to Richmond Castle passing the Civic party at the Town Hall steps.

Image source, British Army

A plaque is to be put up in a York theatre in honour of Sir Ken Dodd, who died last month at the age of 90.

It'll be put up at the Grand Opera House, where the late comedian performed regularly.

His last performance at the theatre was on 10 July 2016 with his Happiness Show.

The plaque will be unveiled at the end of May by comedian Tim Vine.

Lady Dodd, the widow of Sir Ken, will attend the ceremony.

Police in Leeds have made another arrest after a gun was fired in Bradford last month.

Image source, Google

The 31-year-old man was arrested in the Pudsey area last night after a gun was fired in Union House Lane at about 21:00 on 19 March, damaging a house.

Last month, a 19-year-old man from Bradford was charged over the incident and appeared before Bradford Magistrates' Court.

Leeds Rhinos forward Stevie Ward says he is "devastated" after his 2017 Grand Final winners' ring was stolen from his home.

A woman in her 40s has been taken to hospital after being found on fire on a petrol station forecourt in Harrogate.

Image source, Google

Emergency services were called to the Dragon Service Station on Skipton Road at about 19:45 last night.

Police say her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Another day of strike action has been announced on Northern trains, affecting services in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The RMT union says workers will walk out for 24 hours on Wednesday 9 May.

It's the latest day of action in the long-running dispute over the role of guards.

Samuel Smith, which operates about 200 pubs, is accused of failing to give details to regulators.

A probation worker has warned councillors that people leaving prison are being left on the streets of York with nowhere to live, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Probation worker John Littler told councillors people are "emerging from prison with nowhere to go" because probation workers can no longer reserve a bed in a hostel for people being released from prison.

"That adds not only to the number of people sleeping rough but also to crime and anti-social behaviour," Mr Littler said.

"It's very difficult to do the rest of our job - like addressing why people offend - if they haven't got the basics like a roof over their head."

The Draft Homeless Strategy, which sets out to tackle homelessness including rough sleeping, was being discussed at a City of York health and housing scrutiny committee meeting.

Becky Ward, housing service manager, said they "cannot keep beds waiting for prisoners to be released when other people are sleeping rough and waiting for a bed".

Castleford Tigers winger Garry Lo is voluntarily assisting the police with an inquiry and will not be available for selection this week.

The Fox Hill district of Sheffield is seeing a lot more police, external on the ground today.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Officers are aiming to tackle organised crime, including the supply of drugs.

They'll also be offering crime prevention advice and working to cut anti-social behaviour.

Police say that so far today 50 cannabis plants have been recovered from a house and a 41-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Castleford Tigers have announced winger Garry Lo will not be available for Friday's match against Wakefield because he is "assisting the police with an inquiry".

Image source, SWPIX.xom

In a statement on the Tigers' website, external, the club says: "This is not an admission of wrongdoing but simply to ensure that Garry is able to fully co-operate with the inquiry."

The club says the move is to "ensure the best interests of everyone, including Garry, are maintained".

Presenter Ace Bhatti goes to Whitby, Hull and the small village of Staithes to explore how artists were inspired by the sea. He discovers the stories of the men and women who make a living from art.

He examines the pioneering photography of Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, paintings by the Staithes Group of Artists and a piece of art which has been worn by a Hollywood star.

A Yorkshire school has gone public about what it calls a "relentless" funding squeeze that has led to bigger classes and cuts to subject choices and teaching posts.

Image source, Google

Trevor Burton, headteacher at Millthorpe School in York, warns in a letter to families that extra costs, like pay rises and pension increases, coupled with stagnant per pupil funding, means they have £350,000 less to spend.

The letter also says the situation they're in will be replicated across the city, and the headteacher claims despite recent changes, York schools are still the worst funded in England.

The area's city councillor, Jonny Crawshaw, has backed Mr Burton's actions, saying the school is to be commended for speaking to parents so frankly: "It is unusual for school leaders to speak out in this way and should be seen as testament to the gravity of the situation that they have chosen to do so."