Doncaster Prison is one of several across the country criticised for not properly operating an emergency phone line for the relatives of prisoners who need to raise welfare concerns.

Image source, Getty Images

A report out today says that where emergency phone lines have been introduced, most are not being answered by staff.

The Ministry of Justice said the findings were "unacceptable" and pledged to address the problem.

The availability of a dedicated 'safer custody' telephone line for families to flag concerns about a prisoner's physical or mental health was a key recommendation in a review by Lord Michael Farmer which had been commissioned by the government.

The review was published in 2017 amid mounting concern about the rising tide of self-harm and suicides in prisons.

A woman has died in a fire at a house in Ilkley this morning, police have confirmed.

Image source, Riaz Meer

Emergency services were called to the blaze at a property on Cowpasture Road at about 08:35.

An 89-year-old woman died in the fire.

Her family has been informed, West Yorkshire Police added.

An investigation is under way to find out how the fire started.

Roads in the area have been closed while inquiries continue.

Emergency services are expected to remain at the scene until later this afternoon.

An Iron Age mirror found in Dorset is among the items to inspire children's author Michael Rosen.

A woman has died following a house fire in Ilkley this morning.

More to follow...

Thousands of oysters are being introduced to the Humber estuary later as part of a project to improve the marine environment.

Image source, PA Media

A small-scale trial earlier in the year showed oysters thrive in the Humber.

It's been more than 60 years since the species was wiped out there by overfishing.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is relocating them from Scotland to a new habitat near Spurn Point.

Dr Dan Cowing, of the Humber Aquaculture Partnership, said: "We've learned a lot within those initial months, where best to put them and we are really happy with the survival rate."

A Bradford man who was arrested on suspicion of murder in Blackpool has been released on bail.

Image source, Google

Kris Kam, 35, died after suffering several knife wounds to his upper leg in an attack in the town on Saturday morning. He died later in hospital.

A 28-year-old man from Bradford who was held on suspicion of Mr Kam's murder has been bailed, police have confirmed.

A 31-year-old woman from Blackpool who was arrested on suspicion of assisting offenders was also bailed.

Meanwhile, three men from London and two of no fixed address are due to appear before Blackpool magistrates later charged with murder.

Drivers looking for a parking space in Halifax will soon be able to use a new app to find a spare spot.

Image source, PA Media

Calderdale Council has linked up with the smart parking firm AppyParking as part of a two-year pilot scheme.

From next week, drivers will be able to download the app and then see real time availability of spaces using smart parking sensors installed across the town.

It's hoped less time being spent looking for spaces will lead to less pollution.

The 21-year-old student's body was found seven weeks after she vanished on a night out in Hull.

A man has been arrested after "chasing police officers with a kitchen knife" while threatening to kill them in Keighley town centre.

The 29-year-old was stopped on South Street by officers at about 22:45 yesterday night.

The man was arrested on two counts of assaulting emergency workers and affray, West Yorkshire Police said.

He remains in custody.

One person has been "seriously injured" in a house fire in Ilkley this morning.

Image source, Google

Fire crews were called to the house on Cowpasture Road at about 08:35.

Roads in the area remain closed, according to West Yorkshire Police., external

A candle has been lit at West Yorkshire Police's HQ in Wakefield in memory of a police officer who was murdered on duty 35 years ago today.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Sgt John Speed was shot dead in Leeds city centre in 1984 after going to the aid of a colleague who was checking on two men acting suspiciously.

A memorial stone is in place on Kirkgate on the spot where he was killed.

A man is due to go on trial next year accused of murdering Hull student Libby Squire.

Image source, Elizabeth Cook/PA Media

Pawel Relowicz, 25, made a brief appearance at Hull Crown Court earlier where a judge fixed his trial date for 2 June.

He was charged last week by Humberside Police with raping and murdering Hull University student Miss Squire.

The defendant spoke only to confirm his name.

Miss Squire, 21, disappeared near her home in Hull, where she was studying philosophy, in the early hours of 1 February, prompting a huge search.

Her body was recovered from the Humber Estuary on 20 March, nearly seven weeks after she disappeared following an evening out with friends.

Mr Relowicz was remanded in custody.

Cancer patients in Yorkshire are to benefit from state-of-the-art screening equipment.

Image source, Getty Images

As part of a government programme to reduce deaths from the disease by 55,000 a year, a number of hospitals are to get the new machines.

The new scanners will be more efficient as they're easier to use and are quicker, leading to earlier diagnosis, according to the government.

A total of £200m nationwide has been set aside for the new machines, some of which will be installed at the following NHS trusts:

• Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
• Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
• Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director at NHS England, said: “Cancer survival is at a record high thanks to better prevention, earlier diagnosis and world leading treatments in the NHS.

“This major investment in the best modern scanning technology will benefit patients in every part of England."

A businesswoman from Rotherham who is behind efforts to restore a decaying Georgian stately home in South Yorkshire is due to receive a damehood later.

Image source, PA Media

Julie Kenny will receive her honour from the Queen for services to heritage.

Mrs Kenny began a five-year campaign to restore Wentworth Woodhouse after it fell into a state of disrepair.

The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, chaired by Mrs Kenny, bought the mansion and its 83 acres for £7m in a bid to save it from dereliction.

The house now has more than 20 staff and 100 volunteers.

Built between 1725 and 1750, the front of the house is more than 600ft long. The main house has more than 200 rooms.

A cyclist is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after being involved in a crash on Spring Bank in Hull early this morning.

Image source, Google

The man was involved in a crash at about 01:00 near the junction with Princes Avenue.

His injuries are serious, according to police.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The Duchess of Sussex has thanked Halifax Labour MP Holly Lynch after the politician sent a letter of "solidarity" signed by female MPs from across Parliament.

Image source, PA Media

In an open letter to Meghan, 72 cross-party MPs pledged to use the "means at our disposal" to ensure the media accepts her right to privacy, shows respect and that stories "reflect the truth".

Ms Lynch, who posted the letter on social media on Tuesday, told ITV News she was contacted by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday morning and asked if she was free to speak to the duchess.

The MP said: "She was calling to thank myself and other women MPs for standing with her, sending the open letter to say, 'We as women in public office absolutely understand what she is going through'.

"Although in very different public roles, we stand with her in solidarity to say we shouldn't be tearing down women in public life through the press or otherwise. She was pleased to have seen that letter."

The open letter said the media had printed stories and headlines which had invaded the duchess's privacy and "sought to cast aspersions" on her character.

BBC Weather

A dry morning for Yorkshire, with bright spells but also some large areas of cloud.

This afternoon will stay dry with spells of sunshine becoming more widespread for a time.

The top temperature will be about 9C (48F):

Image source, Google

Two people have been rescued from a river in York city centre in separate incidents early this morning.

Image source, Google

At about 02:50, fire crews were called to help rescue a man from the River Ouse in the city centre.

By the time the fire service arrived, the man was out of the river and in the care of North Yorkshire Police.

A short time later, at about 03:40, the fire service was called to Queens Staith, again on the River Ouse, to reports of a woman becoming stuck on the river bank.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service, the police and York Rescue Boat attended, external and helped pull the woman to safety.

BBC News Travel

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

However:

• The 09:03 Sheffield to Leeds via Barnsley service has been cancelled
• The 09:06 Sheffield to Nottingham service has been cancelled
• The 09:59 Bradford Interchange to Leeds service has been cancelled

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

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an attack in Barnsley which left a man in the street with severe head injuries.

Image source, Google

The victim, a 69-year-old man, was found on Dobie Street in Worsbrough Common at about 07:00 on Sunday.

He was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Two men, aged 26 and 30 and both from Barnsley, were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of assault. They have now been re-arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

A 48-year-old woman from Barnsley has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

South Yorkshire Police continue to appeal for information.