Local Democracy Reporting Service

A mobile coronavirus testing site will be in Whitby today for anyone showing symptoms to get tested.

Image source, Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

The drive-through facility will be set up at the park-and-ride site on the A171 Guisborough Road.

It is being organised by the Department of Health and Social Care, which has warned people to not just turn up but make an appointment first.

Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms should register for a test on the NHS website, external.

People who don’t have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the new 119 service to book.

Key workers and members of their household should register for a test on the government website, external.

People who saw a police pursuit across West Yorkshire are being asked to come forward, especially anyone with dash camera footage of the incident.

Officers chased a blue or purple Audi RS6 estate on the M606 at about 12:45 on Saturday. It was then followed onto the M62 at Brighouse and then into Mirfield.

The Audi was then driven through Dewsbury into a pedestrianised zone before being driven to Ossett and onto the M1 northbound and then the A650 at the Carr Gate junction.

Finally, it turned right towards Thorpe and was lost on Sissons Road, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The driver is described as an Asian male. A passenger in the car is also described as an Asian male who was wearing a baseball cap.

Anybody who saw the car, especially those with dash camera video, is being asked to get in touch with police.

A man who was reported missing from his home in Sheffield earlier this week has been found, police say.

Joseph Buxton, 57, went missing on Wednesday after last being seen in Hillsborough.

Mr Buxton has been found "safe and well", according to South Yorkshire Police.

Officers have thanked everyone who shared their appeal for help finding Mr Buxton, saying their support was "hugely appreciated".

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis has reminded the government about the Prime Minister’s commitment to hold a summit with the aim of creating a plan for flood defences.

Flooding last November had a huge impact in South Yorkshire, with 1,000 homes and over 500 businesses affected - and many people still facing repair work or unable to return home.

In a letter, Mr Jarvis tells Boris Johnson that communities can't face another devastating flood on top of the economic blows due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the letter, he says: "The government is rightly focusing much of its energy on the Covid-19 crisis, but the government has to follow through on their commitments.

"It is now seven months since the Prime Minister promised to hold a flooding summit so we can take more coordinated and effective action. The clock is ticking."

BBC Weather

A cloudy and wet start with a band of showery rain persisting through much of the morning, becoming heavy and perhaps thundery at times.

Staying cloudy through the afternoon, but the rain will ease.

A dry and cloudy first half of the night.

After midnight, a band of showery rain will move in from the south, becoming persistent at times.

A yellow "be aware" weather warning for rain is in place for parts of North Yorkshire this morning.

Image source, Rui Vera/PA Wire

It runs until 14:00 and covers much of Ryedale and the North Yorkshire coast area.

The Met Office says there's a small chance of flooding to homes and businesses, external.

Meanwhile, a Flood Warning - meaning flooding is expected and "immediate action" is required - is in place for the River Esk from Briggswath to Ruswarp, external.

Two Flood Alerts - which means people should be prepared for flooding - are also in place in North Yorkshire, for the River Esk and the Upper River Swale.

Six sites are to reopen this weekend after shutting during lockdown, with 45 due to follow in July.

Former MEP and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Magid Magid on how believes society can tackle racism.

A council is told to apologise and pay a woman with anxiety and autism £60k.

Senior judges increase murderer Shahid Mohammed's "unduly lenient" minimum term to 27 years.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Developers are appealing after their plans to redevelop the site of an "historic" Sheffield building were refused by councillors.

Image source, Google

Firestone wanted to build 77 apartments at the site of the Old Coroner’s Court on Nursery Street, but the planning board rejected the proposals last October.

Councillors rejected the design, saying it was “plain” and “unattractive” and wouldn’t fit in with the heritage of the River Don and Wicker.

But the developers do have permission to demolish the building as it is not listed nor in a conservation area.

They have now taken their appeal to the Planning Inspector, who will make a final decision.

The Old Coroner’s Court dates back to 1913 and was designed as a state-of-the-art court and mortuary.

Councillor Douglas Johnson has written to the Inspector supporting the planning board, saying: "The Old Coroner’s Court is a historic building in a riverside setting. The developer’s proposal was an ugly brick block so it is quite right the plans were rejected. "

"Sheffield’s 20th Century history of buildings should teach us that tearing everything down to start afresh is not the way to a sustainable living environment."

When the planning board rejected the plans, William Marshall, on behalf of Firestone, said: "The building could be demolished tomorrow with no consequences. All avenues have been assessed and the only solution is the proposal before you today."

A man who murdered eight members of the same family when he burned down their home with petrol bombs 18 years ago has had his minimum jail term increased.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Eight members of the Chishti family died when Shahid Mohammed, 37, carried out the attack with other men following a long-running and bitter family dispute.

The victims were asleep in their home on Osborne Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, when petrol bombs were thrown inside the property, with petrol also being poured through the letterbox and ignited, in May 2002.

Mohammed, who was 19 at the time, fled to Pakisatn but was extradited back to the UK in 2018 to face trial and found guilty of eight counts of murder.

He was jailed in August 2019 for life with a minimum term of 23 years but that term was increased to 27 years at a Court of Appeal hearing on Thursday, after senior judges ruled it was "unduly lenient".

Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mrs Justice Whipple and Judge Mark Lucraft QC, said the court would give its full reasons for increasing the sentence at a later date.

A billy goat has been found wandering the streets of Bradford much to the surprise of local RSCPA inspectors.

Image source, RSPCA

The large white goat was first spotted in a garden in Gain Street yesterday evening before it was finally traced to a nearby bus stop and taken to a specialist facility.

RSPCA Inspector Emily Stodart said: "We just don’t know where this goat came from or how he came to be lost in Bradford. It’s certainly not something you see every day.

"He is distinctive, especially with his very large horns, and you don’t see many goats in Bradford so we are hoping someone will recognise him and be able to tell us where he has come from."

Anyone who recognises the animal is asked to contact the RSPCA

Scarborough Council has announced plans for a virtual Armed Forces Day celebration after the event was cancelled due to the the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, UK MOD Crown Copyright 2020

Scarborough had been selected to host the national Armed Forces Day event between 26 and 28 June but plans have been put on ice for a year.

Instead the council said videos and images will be posted on a special website between 22 and 27 June.

Military-related videos and personal stories, images and personal recollections from previous Armed Forces Day events, as well as themed children’s activities will be online.

Councillor Tony Randerson, from Scarborough Borough Council, said: "We know it won’t be anywhere close to a replacement for the physical event, but we really hope it will go some way to filling the gap and will being some of the enjoyment of Armed Forces Day into people’s homes."

Last month, the Ministry of Defence said the North Yorkshire seaside town will be home to the prestigious event in 2021.

Officers investigating the fatal shooting of a pair of swans in Leeds have released images of two men they want to trace in connection with the incident.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

The swans were attacked at about 21:00 on Monday while looking after eggs on marshland near Knowsthorpe water treatment works on Pontefract Lane.

One man (pictured above) was seen with a shooting rifle and a dog in the area at the time and police want to speak to him and another man (below) as part of their investigation.

Sgt Dave Lund, West Yorkshire Police Force Wildlife Officer, said: "This is an appallingly cruel and unnecessary act and we are carrying out enquiries to find the person responsible and working with our colleagues from the RSPCA.

"We would like to hear from anyone who recognises the men in the images or who has any information that could assist the investigation."

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Tributes have been paid to an "outstanding" Police Community Support Officer in South Yorkshire who has died from cancer at the age of 41.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Steph McIntyre, who joined South Yorkshire Police in 2006 and worked in Rotherham, died at the weekend, South Yorkshire Police confirmed.

Her team at Rotherham Central said she was a "much-loved" colleague and will be greatly missed.

The force said: "She loved her job and being part of Team Eastwood and losing her will leave a huge void in our team. We will all miss her."

Her husband, Paul, a detective for South Yorkshire Police in Rotherham, said: "Steph will leave an unfillable hole in our lives. We are all so proud of her.

"She loved her job, she loved her team, and she had no end of pride in the work she did and the lives she changed. I cannot put in to words how much I love her, and how much I will miss her."

Insp Chris Blake added: "Everyone who knew Steph, loved her. Steph was an outstanding PCSO. She really came in to her own during her time in Eastwood, and never stopped making a difference."

"Steph will be sorely missed by the whole team. I just hope we can all do her proud," he added.

A racing driver from East Yorkshire will be competing online today in a virtual race.

Image source, Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Abbie Eaton, from Willerby, will be competing alongside other drivers in the Esports League race later today.

Abbie, who featured as the racing driver on The Grand Tour series, has been practising in her home using a simulator during the coronavirus lockdown.

The W Series Esports League is a 10-round series taking place every Thursday starting tonight.

Similarl to the on-track version, this is a women-only race, but this time via simulation.

Tonight's race, from Monza, will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Image source, W Series/iRacing.com

A woman had to be taken to hospital for treatment after being trampled by cows in Halifax earlier this week, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team

It happened at about 19:10 on Tuesday near Walter Clough Lane, according to the Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service and air ambulance crews attended, with the mountain rescue team also helping to move the injured woman.

Hull FC half-back Albert Kelly is to return to Australia when his deal ends on the conclusion of the 2020 Super League season.

Two swans which were nesting on a lake in Leeds have been "shot and killed", police say.

Image source, Dominic Lipinski/PA Media

The pair were looking after five eggs on a lake on Pontefract Lane, West Yorkshire Police's wildlife team said.

The shooting happened in the last couple of days. the team added.

Anybody who saw the attack, or has any information about it, is being asked to get in touch with the force.