About 25 firefighters are currently tackling a blaze at a workshop containing propane cylinders in North Yorkshire.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Five fire crews using breathing apparatus are dealing with the blaze in Leeming, according to North Yorkshire Fire Service.

Drivers on the A1 are being warned to take special care in the area as smoke may be crossing the carriageway, the fire service adds.

West Yorkshire is not in a "stand-off" with the government about entering tier three coronavirus restrictions, the chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority has said.

Image source, PA Media

Susan Hinchcliffe, who is also the leader of Bradford City Council, said on Wednesday it appeared the government was "unflinching in their resolve" to place the region into tier 3 - the highest level of coronavirus restrictions.

But, despite ongoing talks, she told the BBC Radio 4's Today programmed that she would not describe the situation as a "stand-off".

She said as council leader she was prepared to do "whatever it takes" to bring infection rates down, but that the "only thing that's worked" is a national approach.

However she added that she had been told there was "no prospect" of a national lockdown.

The infection rate in Bradford in the seven days to 25 October was 494.3, up from 395.7 the previous week - currently the highest in West Yorkshire.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Today: "We're having discussions later with Leeds and West Yorkshire, where there's also a concerning rise in the number of cases and pressure on the local NHS."

Last night's Championship match between Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday was disrupted by a drone.

Image source, Google

The match, at Rotherham's New York Stadium, was stopped for about 10 minutes, with both sets of players sent back to the changing rooms as a precaution.

Rotherham United says the club is working with police to determine if any further action is necessary following the incident.

At the time, the club tweeted, external: "We understand there is an unauthorised drone in the air space over the stadium. The players have been brought off the pitch due to safety concerns."

The drone has since been seized, it's emerged.

Rotherham went on to win the match 3-0.

There are no discussions taking place with the government about the city of York being moved to tier three coronavirus restrictions, according to the city's assistant director of public health.

Image source, Getty Images

Fiona Phillips said rumours about the city, which was placed in tier two - "medium" alert level - on 18 October, moving to the highest level of restrictions were baseless.

"We aren't in any conversations with government about being in tier three as yet," she said.

"Obviously we have to wait and see what happens with the case numbers. If our case numbers start going up and if we hear that hospital admissions start going up, then that's the point those discussions may happen."

Ms Phillips added that if the city reached that point then residents would be kept informed about any discussions with the government.

PA Media

Discussions are due to take place later over the prospect of increased coronavirus restrictions for Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Image source, Danny lawson/PA Wire

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We're having discussions today with Leeds and West Yorkshire, where there's a concerning rise in the number of cases and pressure on the local NHS."

Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said that during discussions with ministers about West Yorkshire being put into tier three -very high alert - she had been told there was "no prospect" of a second national lockdown.

"Obviously it's a tiered approach the government is promoting," she added.

BBC Weather Watchers

Our BBC Weather Watchers were up and about early this morning managing to capture an incredible sunrise on the North Yorkshire coast.

Image source, Beverley Senturk

Beverley Senturk took the above picture at the harbour in Scarborough, showing the boats against a bright orange sky saying it was "spectacular".

Along the beach, Myka snapped this purple and orange sky with Scarborough castle poking out of the top of the hill.

Image source, Myka

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Emergency work to strengthen a wall which is part of flood defences in Todmorden is being carried out ahead of predicted heavy rain in Calderdale.

Image source, Met Office

The Environment Agency says the wall, which is structurally part of the Market Hall, was damaged during flooding caused by Storm Ciara last February.

Jo Arnold, the Environment Agency's senior flood risk adviser for Calderdale, said: “We need to make sure that the flood defences that protect Todmorden are as robust as possible.”

In addition to the repairs three interlocking concrete blocks will also be temporarily installed against the flood wall, which it's hoped will provide further resilience to defences in time for winter.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain in the area today., external

A yellow warning means homes and businesses could be flooded, deep floodwater is possible and delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible.

BBC Weather

A mild windy day is expected with outbreaks of rain from mid-morning and through this afternoon.

It'll be mild this evening and overnight, under mostly cloudy skies and brisk southwesterly winds:

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Scarborough’s new coronavirus testing site is set to open next week, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Reuters/Carl Recine

Construction will begin at the William Street Coach Park on Tuesday, with the site due to go live from Thursday 5 November.

Testing at the walk-in site will be available seven days a week from 08:00 until 20:00 and it will have the capacity for around 350 tests per day.

Speaking at a briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, the county’s director of Public Health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, confirmed the plans for the facility.

He added: "People will still need to book for tests, external as they would to go to any of the other sites, but it means access will be improved.

"In Harrogate on the first full day [of its walk-in site] we tested 133 people, so we are hoping those may be the kinds of numbers we will be seeing in Scarborough."

The site will be a walk-through centre, meaning people can arrive on foot rather than having to drive in.

If you live in Yorkshire you could be living under any one of the three Covid alert levels.

If you live in Yorkshire you could be living under any one of the three Covid alert levels.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Doncaster Council's health boss has moved to dispel the myths around Covid-19, saying: “This isn’t like the flu.”

Image source, Google

Dr Rupert Suckling, director of public health at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, was asked about social media posts in various places downplaying the virus.

He said Covid-19 often starts as a mild illness for around "four to five days" and then for some people it "hits like a storm".

“This is more infectious and more people die from it – especially in people over the age of 80 as the mortality rate is around one in 10," he added.

Dr Suckling said Covid-19 had a much greater impact on the lungs in terms of inflammation than flu.

Across the Doncaster hospital trust, as of Tuesday 28 October, 199 people are in hospital with coronavirus and of those, 165 are being treated at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI).

Transmission is said to be across the borough, with household visits still the main way the virus is spreading.

DJs from Yorkshire have set up their own virtual nightclub, live-streaming their sets for people to rave along to at home.

Home Rave started earlier in the coronavirus pandemic, when people were first asked to avoid going out.

With nightclubs remaining closed and events cancelled, the DJs have continued their shows, with thousands of people taking part:

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Charities in Scarborough will be given money by the borough council so they can help to provide children with meals this week, the leader of the authority has said.

Image source, The School Meal Plan

The announcement comes after the government voted not to extend the free school meal vouchers over the half-term holidays.

Many local businesses and charities across Scarborough have already stepped up to provide meals to children who would normally qualify for free school meals during the holiday.

Now, Steve Siddons, leader of Scarborough Council, has said: “[North Yorkshire] County Council is responsible for education and free school meals provision and it is for them to communicate what action they deem necessary.

“However, what does concern me is the additional pressure this is placing on our local voluntary agencies.

“These community organisations do a fantastic job in delivering services and support to the most vulnerable across the borough on a daily basis. We cannot expect them to take on these additional costs alone."

The funding amount will be known once discussions have taken place with charities as the council wishes to cover the excess costs they'll incur by providing meals this week.

Families in need can also apply for help through the Local Assistance Fund, according to North Yorkshire County Council.

Four people, including three teenage girls, have been arrested in Doncaster after suspected drugs were found during a police raid.

A warrant was carried out in the Cantley area of the town on Tuesday as part of what's known as Operation Fortify, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Quantities of suspected heroin and cocaine were recovered along with a hydraulic press, officers say.

A 14-year-old girl, two 17-year-old girls and a 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

All four have been released under investigation while inquiries continue, police say.

A 14-year-old boy missing from Leeds may have travelled to Hull, say police.

Image source, Humberside Police

Jay Evans was last seen in Leeds on Saturday 24 October.

Police say they now think he may be in Hull, where he is originally from.

Anyone who knows where he is, or who sees him, is being asked to contact police.

The Scottish government will introduce new legislation to facilitate a collective pardon for miners in the 1980s strike.

A decision on tougher restrictions for North Yorkshire could be made within days.

A convicted murderer died with coronavirus after she refused to be shielded in a West Yorkshire prison and continued working on her wing, a report has found.

Image source, Humberside Police

Angela Burkitt, 55, from Hull, died in hospital of respiratory failure and Covid-19 pneumonia in April while she was an inmate at HMP New Hall, near Wakefield.

The Prison and Probation Ombudsman report said the jail should have acted sooner to safeguard inmates and staff.

Ms Burkitt, who was jailed for life for the murder of her neighbour in 2017, had been working as a cleaner on the Holly House wing of the prison.

The report's author, Sue McAllister, said: "We are satisfied the prison offered to move Ms Burkitt to a different wing which they were using to shield vulnerable prisoners, but that Ms Burkitt refused and opted to remain in her own cell, despite being advised of the risks.

"We consider that the prison should have required Ms Burkitt to stop working and self-isolate when she presented with one of the three major symptoms of Covid-19 [a high temperature].

"Not doing so put other prisoners and staff at risk - although it did not affect the outcome for Ms Burkitt herself."

The Ministry of Justice has been asked for a comment on the findings.

A man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a taxi driver 19 years ago.

Image source, PA Media

Mohammed Basharat, 33, was shot twice in the head at the office of Little Horton Taxis, in Park Lane, Bradford, in October 2001.

Ricardo Linton, 45, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video-link earlier to deny murdering the father of four.

Mr Linton, of no fixed abode, was remanded into custody following the hearing and is due to stand trial at the same court on 21 June.