Phase two of the HS2 high-speed railway between Leeds and Birmingham faces a delay of up to eight years, Transport Minister Grant Shapps has said.

Image source, HS2

The route had been due to be completed by 2032-33 but it could now be between 2035 and 2040 before the first trains run on the route.

Mr Shapps revealed the news as he announced phase one of the project, the London to Birmingham stage, could be delayed by seven years from 2026 to between 2028 and 2031.

He said cost of HS2 had risen from £62bn to between £81bn and £88bn.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Firefighters who say they've been called out to assist at more than 120 suicide attempts in three years say they need better training to support people trying to take their own lives.

Image source, NYFRS

The fire service in North Yorkshire has seen what's described as a “noticeable increase” in callouts to suicide attempts, attending 122 incidents since 2016.

A meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner heard fire crews usually arrive at the scene within minutes, whereas specially-trained police officers may have to travel long distances to reach an incident.

Mark Naylor, from the fire service, told the meeting: “There are negotiators within the police and they can come from quite hefty travel distances. Our crews can be there on scene within minutes.

“Having been to a number of them in the past and successfully got people down, I think the fire service can try to be that friendly person."

Mr Naylor added that there was “an opportunity” for crews to get extra training to help fire officers dealing with people attempting suicide.

The 5ft-long snake was "quite wide" and "wedged" in tight, his rescuer from the RSPCA said.

A man who's gone missing since last being seen in Rotherham this morning is being sought by police.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Anthony Dobson, 82, was last seen in the Flanderwell Lane area of Sunnyside at about 08:15.

Police say they're concerned for his welfare and are trying to find him.

He is described as being about 5ft 4ins tall, with grey cropped hair and blue eyes.

Mr Dobson is believed to be wearing glasses and a purple jumper.

He is originally from Maltby and is a keen walker, so may have travelled, police say.

Two masked men have carried out an armed robbery at a post office in Leeds, police say.

Image source, Google

It happened just before 09:00 at Wellstone Rise Post Office, on Swinnow Lane.

Police say one of the men was armed with what appeared to be a handgun.

The men entered the shop and threatened staff before taking cash and leaving the scene in a car driven by a third man, according to police.

No-one was injured but those involved were left badly shaken, the force added.

Officers are currently at the scene of the robbery investigating the incident.

A stray boa constrictor had a bad day after getting stuck in a fence in a garden in Hull.

Image source, RSPCA

The 5ft-long animal was found by a member of the public last Wednesday wedged in the garden fence after trying to slither away.

RSPCA animal collection officer Martin Whiteley was soon on hand to help the snake make its escape.

He says: "Luckily, I was able to carefully wiggle him free."

Image source, RSPCA

The boa was "quite wide" but wasn't injured during its ordeal, Mr Whiteley added.

The RSPCA is now looking for the stray snake's owners.

Rail lines between Doncaster and Scunthorpe are now clear after an earlier fault on a swing bridge:

The singer Ellie Goulding has posted on social media about her wedding at the weekend in North Yorkshire.

Image source, PA Media

Sharing pictures of her marriage at York Minster to art dealer Casper Jopling, she says she married "the love of her life, in God’s own country, surrounded by the people she cherishes".

The pop star added: "Thank you eternally to everyone involved in such a special moment, including every single person that travelled from far and wide to come and celebrate with us."

Guests at the ceremony included singer Katy Perry, Hollywood star Orlando Bloom, Sarah, Duchess of York and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Sheffield has a new deputy leader of the council following a vote last night.

Image source, Sheffield City Council

Labour councillor Terry Fox, who represents the Manor Castle ward, was unopposed at a meeting of Sheffield Labour councillors.

The previous deputy leader, Councillor Olivia Blake, resigned after a petition was submitted calling for a referendum on the way Sheffield City Council is run.

Councillor Fox told BBC Radio Sheffield he was "100% behind leader Julie Dore".

BBC Weather

A dry and cloudy morning with an increasing chance of rain this afternoon.

More persistent rain will spread eastwards this evening.

It will become increasingly windy:

A fault on a swing bridge over a canal has blocked rail lines between Doncaster and Scunthorpe this morning.

The same bridge was causing disruption yesterday morning too.

Some services are being delayed or cancelled, according to train operator Northern.

Engineers are on site, Northern said.

Hanson Lane in Halifax is currently closed between Queens Road and the junction with Thrumhall Lane because of a fire.

Image source, YappApp

About 10 fire crews are dealing with the blaze which is in the basement area and ground floor of a window manufacturer at Ryburn Mills.

The road is expected to be closed until mid-morning and drivers are being warned to avoid the area and follow diversions.

Local residents are still being urged to keep doors and windows closed while fire crews continue their work.

More than 150,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized from a flat in Hull following a police raid.

Image source, Humberside Police

About 240 pouches of tobacco were also recovered from the property on Beverley Road, which is connected to a shop.

The haul is thought to be worth £40,000, according to police.

BBC News Travel

If you're making a journey on the rails in Yorkshire this Tuesday morning, most services appear to be running on time.

For all the latest live updates from the county's main railway stations, click on the links below:

• York Station, external
• Leeds Station, external
• Sheffield Station, external
• Hull Station, external
• Doncaster Station, external
• Wakefield Westgate, external
• Bradford Interchange, external
• Bradford Forster Square, external

About 40 firefighters are tackling a blaze which broke out overnight at a former mill building in Halifax.

Image source, Google

Foam and water is being used fighting the fire in the basement area and ground floor of a window manufacturing company at Ryburn Mills on Hanson Lane.

A total of 10 fire engines are currently at the scene.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says: "There's a smoke plume being given off and although we don't believe the smoke is harmful, residents in the Hanson Lane, Queens Road and Gibbet Street areas are advised to keep doors and windows closed."

Crews from Halifax, Illingworth, Rastrick, Cleckheaton, Odsal and Fairweather Green are in attendance, along with a number of supporting appliances with specialist equipment.

Sheffield is trialling bin lorries powered by energy from household waste in a "world-first".

Hull City striker Nouha Dicko joins Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on loan until the end of the season.

Bradford City sign QPR forward Aramide Oteh and AFC Wimbledon midfielder Dylan Connolly on loan.

The contribution of veteran Rodger Wibberley to the Isle of Man event is recognised as he retires from racing.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Scarborough could have its own Oktoberfest this autumn after an application for three events was submitted.

Image source, Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The application to bring the event, which celebrates German beer, food and music, to the town's Open Air Theatre has been submitted to Scarborough Borough Council.

Organisers plan to hold events over three weekends between 11 and 26 October.

They say staff will be dressed in Bavarian costumes and there'll be a Yorkshire oompah band.

Counclllors will decide at the end of the month if they'll allow a licence for the event.