A teacher at a school in Rotherham has been banned from teaching for at least two years for an inappropriate relationship with a pupil.

Image source, Google

Robert Nixon is said to have given the pupil gifts, hugged them and even kissed them on five occasions, the teacher misconduct panel heard.

The 28-year-old was working at Wickersley School in 2018 when the incidents happened.

Mr Nixon told the panel he didn't accept that his conduct was sexually motivated but he admitted it amounted to unprofessional conduct.

The report sets out that Mr Nixon must apply to have the prohibition order removed at the end of the two years in order to start teaching again.

People in North Yorkshire are being told to expect controlled burning on moorland in the county over the next few months.

One fire, near Bolton Abbey, is already under way.

Martyn Hughes, a firefighter from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, says this fire is currently burning near the abbey.

It's under control "as the gamekeepers are burning off to maintain the land", he added:

The chief executive of Hull City Council says immediate action is being taken to improve the way vulnerable children are protected in the city.

It follows a critical report which said the experiences of children in care has significantly declined across the city.

Hull City Council was rated inadequate in May 2019 and the watchdog said services had "deteriorated since the last inspection".

Inspectors said they had to directly intervene after they identified children at risk during their visit.

Chief executive Matt Jukes has told the BBC they are making sure they're investing the right resources and working closely with other agencies.

He said: "This is not something we'll turn around overnight. It's not just the resource that the council has got and the expertise that the council's got - we're using that.

"We're also going to be working much more closely with our partners, lots of local authorities around the country where they have got very good and outstanding practice, making sure we get the benefits of their advice and support."

Staff at a small charity in Sheffield are appealing for help from the local community to find the burglars who broke into their offices and stole donations and destroyed furniture.

Image source, Parson Cross Forum

The Parsons Cross Forum, which runs dementia memory clubs, lunch clubs and which collects for the local food bank, was a victim of burglary overnight on Wednesday.

Staff said the incident was a "devastating blow".

"Our community centre serves over 1,000 people per week and is a vital resource for our residents.

"The thieves have done substantial damage to our office and building and we are now fundraising to help with the cost of repairs and damage to the community centre."

The charity is now fundraising to repair and replace damaged equipment, as well as installing extra security measures at its community centre.

Princess Beatrice of York will marry her fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on 29 May, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Image source, PA Media

They will be married at the Chapel Royal at St James Palace, with a reception later at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen will host the private reception in the palace gardens.

Beatrice, the 31-year-old daughter of the Duke of York and the Duchess of York, became engaged to her property tycoon boyfriend in Italy last September.

Buckingham Palace says the choice of the Chapel Royal, a family chapel adjacent to the home of Princess Beatrice, is an indication of the scale and nature of the wedding.

The announcement ends weeks of speculation over the date, amid the scandal over Beatrice's father, Prince Andrew's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew has retired from royal duties for the foreseeable future.

When Pauline could no longer walk her beloved dog Poppy, volunteers stepped in.

A woman's been attacked by another two women on a street in Scarborough, say police.

Image source, Google

The assault happened on Belmont Road between 20:10 and 20:30 on Wednesday 29 January, according to North Yorkshire Police.

The victim, who is in her early 20s, was assaulted by two females, also thought to be in their early 20s, as they passed her on the street, the force says.

One of the women is described as white, with short blonde hair and a lip-piercing to the right side of her bottom lip. She was wearing a black hooded top, blue jeans and white trainers.

The other woman is described as white, with long brown hair and was wearing a pink jacket or jumper.

After the assault, the suspects are thought to have walked up Ramshill Road towards Sainsburys.

Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to contact police.

Figures show the new £500m trains have a higher breakdown rate than the ageing Pacers.

Two men have been arrested and a major road closed after a hit-and-run in Bradford in the early hours of this morning, police say.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

A grey Volkswagen Jetta was in collision with a man on Great Horton Road at about 03:30 this morning, near the road's junctions with Shearbridge Road and Laisteridge Lane.

The Jetta is then reported to have left the scene and been driven off towards Wakefield Road, police say.

Officers at the scene reported finding a blue Toyota Yaris, which appeared to have been abandoned.

The force has not yet confirmed the condition of the man who was hit by the Jetta.

Great Horton Road remains closed and police cordons are in place, with motorists advised to find an alternative route.

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

John Robinson, 24, died when his car hit the back of the lorry which had stopped suddenly.

Improved security measures, more environmentally-friendly equipment and dressing room refurbishments are some of the changes coming to Sheffield Arena after an investment pledge.

Image source, Sheffield Steelers

The arena hosts ice hockey games for the Sheffield Steelers, as well as concerts and events all year round.

Now £1.5m is to be spent on upgrading the facilities to keep Sheffield on the map, operators have said.

Anti-terror measures are being improved, as well as a new ice plant that will help create better ice more efficiently.

Dressing rooms are also being refurbished, Sheffield International Venues (SIV) said.

Dominic Stokes from SIV said: "With the support of Sheffield City Council, the investment in the FlyDSA Arena will ensure it remains one of the best multi-functional spaces in the region, promoting our great city and supporting Sheffield City Trust’s aim of improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Sheffield."

South Yorkshire Police say they want to warn people about the methods pickpockets use.

A couple of otters have been spotted frolicking in a river in the centre of York.

The pair were seen on Wednesday in the River Foss next to Rowntree Wharf, an old industrial building converted into apartments.

Thanks to Tim Hornsby at Stay Central York who filmed this footage.

Make sure your volume is turned up because in this clip the sound of the playful pair squeaking can be very clearly heard:

Strong winds could bring injuries and disruption to people across Yorkshire and the Humber region this weekend, according to the Met Office.

Image source, John Giles/PA Media

Winds of up to 70mph are possible as Storm Ciara batters the UK on Sunday.

The Met Office said there was a risk of "danger to life", with damage to buildings possible and disruption expected across the travel network.

The yellow Met Office weather warning, which asks people to "be aware" of potential dangers, is in place throughout Sunday.

The owner of a "precious" Lord of the Rings-style piece of jewellery, which prompted a huge social media response when it went missing, says he can't believe how far his story has travelled.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

Mike Taylor, 40, was reunited with the "distinctive" silver ring by North Yorkshire Police after the appeal reached 12 million people.

He was given it as a gift by his sister, who bought it while travelling in New Zealand where the Lord of the Rings films were shot.

The ring, which features the Elven lettering seen in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, was found with property stolen from a house in York, last February.

Mr Taylor says: "I didn't realise how far it had got until I got the ring back and came home and searched online and found it had been in the New York Post and on the BBC.

"Someone in New Zealand had even contacted police to offer their help to track me down by the company that had actually made the ring. It's been phenomenal."

Drivers wanting to use the Humber Bridge this weekend are being warned to expect restrictions because of the poor weather forecast.

Image source, PA Media

Winds of up to 70mph are being forecast across the UK as part of Storm Ciara on Sunday.

Drivers are being asked to keep checking the latest information if they plan to use the bridge this weekend, as speed or vehicle restrictions could be enforced.

Four racist incidents relating to the coronavirus outbreak are being investigated by North Yorkshire Police.

The reports involved hate speech and racial slurs in or around York in the past week, according to the force.

Chunkit Jay Pang (pictured), a British national of Chinese descent, said he faced racial abuse in his home town of Selby, as have other members of his family.

Mr Pang said two children had used a racist term adding he had "got coronavirus stay away from him".

He said his father suffered similar abuse in a doctor's surgery waiting room.

Last Friday it was confirmed two people in York tested positive for the virus which originated in Wuhan in China.

One was a student at University of York, which also condemned abuse and racism after receiving reports of incidents against staff and students.

The force advised anyone experiencing abuse relating to coronavirus to report it.

Police praised the woman's bravery in reporting she had been a victim of female genital mutilation.

Lower-emission vehicles are now being used by more than 40% of taxi and private hire drivers in Leeds, the council has said.

A total of 2,150 out of 5,066 such vehicles have been switched to hybrid, electric or LPG-powered vehicles, according to council licensing figures.

The council has so far spent £3.7m helping businesses and taxis to use cleaner vehicles which will not be subject to daily charges when the Clean Air Charging Zone is in place.

Dozens of operators of HGVs, buses and coaches have upgraded about 170 larger vehicles, the council said.

The city has seen a "significant shift" towards lower-emission vehicles since the clean air zone was announced, it added.

The zone will charge owners of the worst polluting HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles, but it is not due to launch before July.

Private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles will not be charged.

Leeds' zone will see a £50 daily charge for non-compliant buses, coaches, and HGVs, with a £12.50 charge for non-compliant taxi and private hire vehicles.

Owners of such vehicles can check exemptions and details of help, external on the council website.

Police are warning drivers to take extra care on the roads in Yorkshire this morning as many parts of the region are experiencing thick fog.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

In part of the North York Moors National Park visibility is less than 100m, according to North Yorkshire Police.

In East Yorkshire, police are appealing to motorists to "drive to the conditions, allow extra travel time and use fog lights appropriately".

Sgt James Martin, from Humberside Police, says: "It is also icy out here, so don’t be fooled - slow down."